Why All The Fuss About Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place 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 lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, 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 an increased 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 when they heard the plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body, which can cause severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. mesothelioma lawsuits settlements , which forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining, is less common. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining, is much less common and represents about 1percent of cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-targeting fields, which uses the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. The claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.