Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked 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 most prevalent in the lungs but can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing the 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 listened to the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for decades. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder for 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 assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition by 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 have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms appear. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the location they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease, and is usually fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted ovarian mesothelioma 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 over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. lubbock mesothelioma attorneys is an operation that seals the space to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also help patients understand various mesothelioma cell types which determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is 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 entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an effort to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted a violation of state law.
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 around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.