What Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit? How To Utilize It

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

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

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities within the body. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for many years. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder for 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 using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of this risk.

Mesothelioma symptoms 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.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is usually diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body causing extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is often fatal.

The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.

This is the latest in a long line of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.

How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to grow.

A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to look at the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lung, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining, is much less common and represents about one percent of cases.

Some of the earliest symptoms include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.

A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which uses a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment options are available to them.

How Can  Lawton mesothelioma attorney YouTube  Get Help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma as a result of using the powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no 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 condition. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. The claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its liabilities. 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 which allege that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive compensation you deserve.