A Step-By Step Guide To Selecting Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of this year, large settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved 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 use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for a long time. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but did not warn consumers of the risk.

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in cells. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields which include manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the location they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors may spread to other parts, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In Hillsboro mesothelioma lawsuit , a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissue or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.
The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure which seals the area to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and learn about the various types of treatment options are 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 eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free consultation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. 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 the favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this resulted in 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 be pursued. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our lawyers are experienced and will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.