Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been 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 massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed 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 around organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing it.

The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma lawsuit attorney assistance of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Many women who used talcum powder to maintain 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 allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but did not warn consumers of the danger.

Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of fields such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit (continue reading this). a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors may expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is usually fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.

This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer spread more.

A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise 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 a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is more rare and only accounts for around one percent of cases.

Some of the earliest symptoms include shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors may perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the cavity to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells, and tumor treating fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be possible and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of using the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J allegedly knew about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the largest Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to 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 in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.