10 Top Books On Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is 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 massive 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 usually found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by 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 the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since many years. The company has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and 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 remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years before symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects 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.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Beaverton mesothelioma attorneys can be fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc might contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern 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 should always seek out a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing 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 of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation that seals the cavity to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are many treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma after using the powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first major Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge ruled against a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive justice you deserve.