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 responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
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 often found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
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 testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He blamed the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms or 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 led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer however, they failed to warn consumers of the danger.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. 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 may prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms appear. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the region of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors may expand to other parts of the body that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that is usually fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is just the latest in a series of high-dollar 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 the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical exam and blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lungs, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only accounts for about 1% of cases.
The breath is short, and is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation 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 severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors, and tumor treating fields, which use a magnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos used to be widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
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 lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative 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 you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Oklahoma City mesothelioma lawyers will assist you in getting the justice you deserve.