Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc lawsuit for mesothelioma Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first to proceed 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 found in J&J’s Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the only 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. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they 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 to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person gets is often determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of washington mesothelioma Lawsuit (click4r.com) include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from 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 a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J’s Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month which brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient’s internal organs. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the abdomen’s lining is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It’s only 1% of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time, washington mesothelioma lawsuit and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation that seals the cavity to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
A mesothelioma lawsuit compensation accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining a patient’s survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which use a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J failed to inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company set up an entity that was a subsidiary to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim 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 another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to.