5 Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Lessons From The Pros
Bend mesothelioma attorney Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split 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, a deadly type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased chance of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by an examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply rapidly and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that 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 latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors can grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a series 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 handed down $55 million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always see an expert for the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and allow cancer to expand further.
A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells, and tumor treating fields, which use a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types that determine the severity 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-related and find out what types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story that set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, but 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 brought against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.