Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to take place since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on 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 that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of 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 decades. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. Several 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 on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region 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 cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing problems, chronic coughing and fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder, and last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment, including 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 specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking punitive and compensatory damages. Knoxville mesothelioma lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent, and violated the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation that you deserve.