What Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit And Why Is Everyone Dissing It

please click the next post Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities inside the body. It is most often found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over 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 only 24 years old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed the cause of his condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on pads or condoms or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing difficulties, constant coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an 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 or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area 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 msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other parts of the body, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a 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 case in Oakland involved a person who was 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder, and last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month, bringing the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical exam and a 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 blood or to look at the extent to which a patient's organs 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 the area under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent form. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only represents around 1% of cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which uses an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
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 a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in an infraction to 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 in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to be pursued. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve.