Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He attributed the cause of his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since many years. The company has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos cancer lawsuit lawyer mesothelioma settlement tests to generate the results it wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with 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.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.

After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. The exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of fields which include mining, manufacturing construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by where on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

A lack of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma settlement payments tumors may spread to other areas of the body, creating severe pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being in their products.

This is only the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL in the last month which brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who have used J&J's talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.

How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to ensure the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.

A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma signs. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma settlement payouts cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining around the abdomen is a less well-known type. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is much less common and accounts for around 1percent of cases.

The first signs include breathlessness that gets worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation 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 area. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which uses the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and discover what kinds of treatment options are available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.

J&J did not 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 and compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the first large Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge ruled against 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 has filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June 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 other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive justice you deserve.