Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. Lubbock mesothelioma lawyer is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by 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. He blamed his condition on childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps 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.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries which include manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is usually diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is often 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 contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical examination and a blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include breathlessness which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area in order to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as 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 stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this resulted in an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.