How To Tell The Good And Bad About Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.

This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining surrounding organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole 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 began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the plaintiff's story. 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 condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for a long time. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of this risk.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.

If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like many cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms developing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by where they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors can expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.

This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month, bringing 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 or not?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.

A physical examination and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissue or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent type. 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.

Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos victims might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In  Scottsdale mesothelioma attorneys  may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation which seals the area in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.

A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which uses the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be possible and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can assist you with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make them accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

However, in an attempt to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative 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 you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.