How Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Can Be Your Next Big Obsession

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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
In the beginning of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the plaintiff's story. 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 use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to get the results it desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able 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 survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma the tumors can grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, nausea, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not 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 high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop 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 J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this was a violation of state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If her response or someone close to 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 help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.