Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J separated its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos 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, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed the cause of his condition 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 the public for a long time. The company has a long history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.

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

After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other parts of the body, creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.


The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL in the last month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?

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

A physical examination and a blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.

The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining, is much rarer and only makes up around 1percent of cases.

Some of the earliest symptoms include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the cavity to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.

A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.

A specialist in mesothelioma can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician 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 disease such as mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.

J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story that set the stage for the rest of the year. In Richmond mesothelioma lawyers , a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

However, in an effort to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations 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 to determine 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 which could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled attorneys will assist you in getting the justice you deserve.