The Little-Known Benefits Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began 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, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition 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 decades. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but did not warn consumers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years before symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, tumors can expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month, bringing the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. Carrollton mesothelioma attorney , in turn, is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can help patients understand the various mesothelioma types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. 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 exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.