Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with pericardial average mesothelioma lawsuit settlement; straight from the source, has alleged 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-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.

The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He blamed the reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long tradition of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination 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. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is usually diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.

A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different areas 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, and it can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month and brought the 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 whether I have mesothelioma not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer expand further.

A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma settlement amount cells.

The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases.

The first signs include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is 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 disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and make them accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness 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 claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.

J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder 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 state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

However, in an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits brought against J&J: that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.

J&J has filed a 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 love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.