Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed the cause of his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for a number of years. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Several 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 for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years, but aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause cells to multiply rapidly and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields which include manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can expand to other parts of the body that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is usually fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but did not warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive, revealing 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 developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month and brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to expand further.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common form. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is much rarer and only accounts for approximately 1% of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand different mesothelioma cells that determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and discover what kinds of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos used to be widely utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an effort to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits however, 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 filed against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of state law.
Tacoma mesothelioma attorneys &J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can proceed. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.