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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first trial to take place since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
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 occur in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at chance of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed his condition on childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers since many years. 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. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert 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 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 chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation or chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. Orlando mesothelioma lawyers cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of fields, including mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other parts of the body, creating severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors remove tissue or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is much rarer and only represents around 1percent of cases.
The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space to stop the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types that determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've 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 absolutely free case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the tone for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.