It's The Perfect Time To Broaden Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Options
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the spring of 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 is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos 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 heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed his condition on the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial 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 contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical exam and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has can also affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is more rare and only represents about one percent of cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which uses a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can Bloomington mesothelioma attorney get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J believed to have known about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this 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 failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this was an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its 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 continue. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.