A Complete Guide To Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding 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 get the results it wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy lower than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in many different industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is often determined by where on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, nausea and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is only the latest in a long line of high-dollar 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. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL over the course of the month which brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent false diagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only makes up around one percent of cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include breathlessness that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit 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 condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of 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 and various other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If phoenix mesothelioma lawsuit or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive justice you deserve.