Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big 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, which is a fatal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.

The first trial since 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 just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma settlements amounts in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to get the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including 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 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 trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that someone develops is usually determined by where they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors can grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed 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 that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in an identical case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the course of the month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.

How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to ensure the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.

A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.

The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining is much rarer and only represents about 1percent of cases.

The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight average mesothelioma settlements cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and make them accountable for their actions.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and various other health issues.

J&J failed to 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 J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company created a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

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

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to be pursued. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.