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 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 this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits 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 fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield 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.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but did not warn consumers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is often determined by where on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts, 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 of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is usually fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. pearland mesothelioma lawsuit claimed that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is just the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder, and last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are many options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first large Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge rejected the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this was a violation of state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.