Its Time To Extend Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Options
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J separated its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. mesothelioma lawsuit after death , the only known cause of this disease 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 opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He blamed the cause of his condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the life of patients.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in many different industries such as manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years before symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts of the body, creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be 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 claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Then, 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, bringing it 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 if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to look at how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common form. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include breathlessness that becomes worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-targeting fields, which use a magnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. 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 used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J did not inform 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 firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first major talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge rejected the motion of 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, filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can be pursued. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.