5 Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Tips From The Professionals

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first one to be held since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

In the early part of this year, large settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

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

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on 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 cancer in 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of the danger.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are 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 mesothelioma is discovered patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women.  Gilbert mesothelioma lawyer  is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a long line of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.

How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.

A physical exam and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors extract 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 has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.

Some of the earliest symptoms include breathlessness that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called the pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and treatment fields for tumors that utilize a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell.

A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.

How Can I 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 talcum powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.

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

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

However, in an effort to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. 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 of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.