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Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first trial to take place since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher risk of developing it.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for many years. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to get the results it desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries which include manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person gets is often determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. 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 latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it is usually fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the course of the month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining is more rare and only accounts for about 1% of cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include breathlessness that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which use an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Chicago mesothelioma lawsuit is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos used to be widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as 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 a tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this resulted in a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone close to 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 will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.