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 case is the first one to be held since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for a long time. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms develop. st louis mesothelioma lawsuit are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other parts of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that is usually fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is just the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case involving the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining of the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of cases 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 heart's lining is more rare and only represents about 1percent of cases.
The first signs include breathlessness that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can help patients understand the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is 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 like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J: that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.