7 Things You've Always Don't Know About Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.

In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk 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 when they heard the plaintiff's story. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.

Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.

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

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years before symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is often determined by where on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts of the body, creating severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a 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, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. Last month, another 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, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits are brought 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 should always consult a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.

A physical exam and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis.  federal way mesothelioma attorney  is the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining is more rare and only makes up around 1percent of cases.

Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more serious cases, doctors can undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best method to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a myriad of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells, and tumor treating fields, which uses a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.

How Can I get help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free consultation. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos used to be widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.

J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story that set the precedent for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this resulted in a violation of state law.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another 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 near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.