A Step-By-Step Guide For Choosing Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for 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 attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, which is 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 its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of the danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in cells. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by where they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Finally, some people 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.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors can spread to other parts which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is just the latest in a long line of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to expand further.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is more rare and only accounts for approximately one percent of cases.
The breath is short, and is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure which seals the area to stop the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
Redwood City mesothelioma attorney can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the largest Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story that set the stage for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.
