5 Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Instructions From The Pros

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.

In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining surrounding organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this 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 only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers since decades. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.

Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

When mesothelioma is discovered patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s.  Springfield mesothelioma attorneys  of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is often determined by the place they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body causing severe 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 man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.

This is the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.

How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.

A physical examination and a blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine 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 reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, where doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can 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 vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.

Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best method to determine a patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and learn about the various types of treatment might be available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.