Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.

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

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial following 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 attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from the public for decades. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of this risk.

Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, chronic coughing and fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with an examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause cells to multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in many different industries, including mining, manufacturing 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 women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body, causing severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, nausea, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.

This is just the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder, and last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month which brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?

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

A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.

The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Jacksonville mesothelioma lawyer that develops in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is more rare and only makes up around 1% of cases.


Shortness of breath, which becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more serious cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.

A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells that determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.

How Can I get help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. 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, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.

J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this was an infraction to the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.