You're About To Expand Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Options

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.

This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher risk of developing it.

The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed his condition on childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of this risk.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by an examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes within a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body.  Santa Clarita mesothelioma attorneys  is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to different parts of the body, causing severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it 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 talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive revealing 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 was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month which brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and allow cancer to expand further.

A physical examination and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining of the abdomen is a less well-known type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is much rarer and only accounts for around 1percent of cases.

Some of the first symptoms include shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.

Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their actions.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

However, in an effort to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. The company set up an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the possibility 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 move forward. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.