evansville mesothelioma attorney Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the early part of this year, large settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside 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-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He blamed his condition on childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. 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. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing difficulties, constant coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of their survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms developing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from 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 an 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is just the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder, and last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always see an expert for the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is much less common and represents around one percent of cases.
A shortness of breath that is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge ruled against a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and was a violation 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 if the lawsuits against J&J are able to be pursued. If you 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 counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.