What Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit And Why Are We Speakin' About It?
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial that has been 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 massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at chance 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 listened to the plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed his condition on the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since several decades. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten 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 this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the area of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Syracuse mesothelioma lawyer of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, nausea, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is often fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a person who was 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only makes up about 1percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which use an electromagnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of using the powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
However, in an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from 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 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 other disease which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced lawyers can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.