Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused 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.
In the early part of this year, large settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater 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 as they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the cause of his condition to his early 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 tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. 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.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. 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 with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in a variety of fields which include mining, manufacturing construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors may spread to other parts which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and 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 might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present 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 one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month which brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to grow.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when 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 a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent form. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is much less common and accounts for approximately 1% of cases.
The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors may perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the cavity to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and treatment fields for tumors that utilize a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells 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 if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact Garland mesothelioma attorneys for an absolutely free case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J failed to inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the remainder 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, attempted to stop the litigation. The company created an additional subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J: that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to continue. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.