Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was 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 early part of the year, huge settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.


What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing the disease.

The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the testimony 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 the cause of 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 several decades. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. Several 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 on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but did not warn consumers of the danger.

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

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. The exposure to asbestos can occur in many different industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body, creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease, and can be fatal.

The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is only the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.

How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to spread more.

A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.

The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.

The breath is short, and gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure which seals the area in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.

A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell.

A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free case evaluation. 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 used to be widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.

J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. our homepage was a major news story and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company incorporated a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve.