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Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.

This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

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

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. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.

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

When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors may spread to other parts that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. 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 was contaminated with asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.

This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.


How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and allow cancer to expand further.

A physical examination and a blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors remove tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.

Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos victims might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure which seals the area to stop the fluid from accumulating in 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 tumor treating fields that use magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types which determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.

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 eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

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

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

In 2018, one of the largest trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. YouTube , a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

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