Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J has dissolved its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma causing agent and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since decades. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, tumors can expand to other parts of the body that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert for the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
Shortness of breath, which becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which use a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. portsmouth mesothelioma law firm in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge rejected the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this was an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.