The Reasons Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Will Be The Hottest Topic In 2023

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. mesothelioma attorney class action lawsuit attributed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long tradition of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but did not warn consumers of the risk.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the duration of their survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder, and last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month and 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 their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma 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 spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining is much less common and accounts for around one percent of cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cell types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences 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 suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to continue. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.