The Little-Known Benefits To Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.

In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, which is a fatal type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.

The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed the reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it desired. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may 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 can remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the duration of their survival.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields which include mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is usually diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.

A lack of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body causing severe pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that is often fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.

This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In  Beaverton mesothelioma attorneys  handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month and brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. 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 is devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.

A physical examination and blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to detect mesothelioma-related cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent form. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.

Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called the pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure that seals the cavity to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which uses the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, 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 and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company created an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.