Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of the year, huge settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He blamed his condition on the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given an expected life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, nausea and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be 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 that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent false diagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only represents approximately one percent of cases.
The first signs include breathlessness that becomes worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation that seals the space to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can youtube.com get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos used to be widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped 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 as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to be pursued. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.