Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma causing agent and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by 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 in the pericardium. He attributed the cause of his condition to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers since decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different industries such as manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is often determined by where they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri handed down $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. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. spokane mesothelioma lawyer should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only represents around 1percent of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which uses an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have 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 now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company established a new 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 Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this resulted in an infraction of 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 proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled attorneys will assist you in getting the justice you deserve.