Why All The Fuss About Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit?

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks 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, huge settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by 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 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 hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but did not warn consumers of this danger.

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

After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma cause. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person gets is often determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month which brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.

How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.

A physical exam and blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.

The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining around the abdomen is a less well-known type. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining is much less common and accounts for about one percent of cases.

The first signs include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure which seals the area to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.

edmond mesothelioma attorney  who is specialized can help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma candidates and find out what types of treatment options are available to them.

How Can I Get Help?

If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.

Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.

J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the largest trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the stage for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.

J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits brought against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of state law.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled attorneys will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.