Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of 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 linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, which is a fatal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs, but 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 greater chance of developing the disease.

The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed the cause of his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. Some of the company’s Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

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 assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of the danger.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the life of patients.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause cells to multiply rapidly and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Rio Rancho mesothelioma attorneys is common in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that someone develops is often determined by where they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.

Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different parts of the body, causing severe pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that 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 claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.

This is the latest in a long line of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J’s powder. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month, bringing the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J’s Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent mistakes that could result in unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.

A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient’s internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It is only 1percent of all cases.

The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure which seals the area in order to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best method to determine a patient’s treatment options as well as their survival rate. There are a variety of treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand various mesothelioma cell types that determine the severity of the cancer and the patient’s outlook. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma candidates and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them.

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 may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and various other health issues.

J&J believed to have known about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J’s request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this 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 about the risks of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another 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 you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you’re entitled to.