How To Tell If You're In The Right Place For 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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but it can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after 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 mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
Wyoming mesothelioma lawyers &J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often in those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors may spread to other parts which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder, and last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical examination and blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is 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 common type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure which seals the area to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors, and tumor treating fields, which uses an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits brought against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.