Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, substantial 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, a deadly form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since 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 2022. He blamed the cause of his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and 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 was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of fields which include manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body creating severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar 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 handed down $55 million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and allow cancer to expand further.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. sunrise mesothelioma attorneys can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation that seals the space in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types that determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor 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 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 a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit 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 condition. Asbestos used to be widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos and subsequently mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set a tone 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.
J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent, and violated the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.