Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved 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 linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities in the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.

The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He blamed his condition on the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of this risk.

Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, chronic coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination 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 and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different parts of the body, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.

This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month, bringing the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to spread more.

A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.

Some of the first symptoms include shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which use the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates 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 have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was used 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 failed to inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.

However, in an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. The company created an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to continue. If Chino mesothelioma lawyer Links to an external site. or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.