Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case 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 the year, huge settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWcXKgWtmpw is a lethal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining around organs and cavities within the body. It is usually found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher chance of developing it.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.

If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the duration of survival.



What Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. 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 lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to different areas of the body which can cause severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial 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 that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present 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. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.

How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.

A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. 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 in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent form. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only one percent of all cases.

The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called the pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then 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 in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make them accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and various other health issues.

J&J believed to have known about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the stage for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.

In an attempt to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this was an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to 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 around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.