What Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit? And How To Utilize It
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division. In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, which is a fatal type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities in the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease. The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the story 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 attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million. J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for many years. The company has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it desired. Some 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 sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers. The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with an examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays. If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients. What causes Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself. Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that can be fatal. The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products. This is the latest in a string of major 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. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case involving 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 total number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene. How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma? A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading. A physical examination and blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases. The first signs include shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura. Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors, and tumor treating fields, which employ the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells. A specialized mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them. How Can I Get Help? If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence. Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. kalamazoo mesothelioma attorney was once widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues. J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs. In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the stage for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi. J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy. The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed 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 the law of the state. J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to be pursued. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled attorneys will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.