Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.
In the beginning of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, which is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they 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 developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. columbia mesothelioma lawyer with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the region of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to different areas of the body, causing severe pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.
This is just the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month and brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common form. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells, and tumor treating fields, which use an electromagnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free consultation. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos used to be widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.