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 trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.

In the first quarter of the year, huge settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, the only 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 over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story 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 pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

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

The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Like many cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that someone develops is usually determined by where they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.

Vista mesothelioma lawsuit of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.

This is just the latest in a long line of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, 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 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 feminine hygiene.

How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to ensure the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.

A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying 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 to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only accounts for around one percent of cases.


Some of the earliest symptoms include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure that seals the cavity to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are many treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand various mesothelioma cell types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma candidates and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease 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 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 dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys can help you receive compensation you deserve.