Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the beginning of this year, large settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing it.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved 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 condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. J&J has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to get the results it desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer however, they failed to warn consumers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of fields which include mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors can grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is just the latest in a long line of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining is much less common and accounts for approximately one percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. Burbank mesothelioma attorneys is called Pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly 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. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which uses the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the 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 you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve.