Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. Grand Prairie mesothelioma attorneys is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun 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 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 that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at 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 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 reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for many years. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it desired. Some 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 on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, fatigue abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors may expand to other parts of the body that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, nausea and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string 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 a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical exam and a blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can check for 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 fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope in order to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining around the abdomen is a less prevalent form. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining is much less common and represents about 1% of cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which use a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells that determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be 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 illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J did not inform 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 and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built 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 from the talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of 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 whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys can help you receive compensation that you deserve.