Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused 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 beginning of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at an increased chance of developing it.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

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

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the life of patients.

What Causes mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.

Insomnia, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a long line of major 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 awarded $55 million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer grow.

A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine the area under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent form. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only 1percent of all cases.

The first signs include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best method to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.

A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand various mesothelioma cell types that determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment options are available to them.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their negligence.

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

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the stage for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another 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 is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.