Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is 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 made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining surrounding organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased 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 listened to the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed his condition on childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time 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. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries which include manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed in those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, nausea, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited an 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 in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical 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 concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is much less common and makes up around 1percent of cases.
The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. There are also north richland hills mesothelioma law firm that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma as a result of using the powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, 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 lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first major Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge rejected a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted a violation of state law.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to be pursued. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive justice you deserve.