It's The Perfect Time To Broaden Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Options
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held 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 attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most often found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at chance 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 heard the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some 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 for feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. 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 can include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that can be fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. 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. The majority of these lawsuits are 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 possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. Bloomington mesothelioma lawsuit can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation which seals the area to stop fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J did not warn 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 the company. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an effort to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.