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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 responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first to proceed since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.

In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed 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 the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher 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 inspired 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 pericardium. He blamed the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for many years. The company has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as 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 cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by an examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.

If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms developing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is often determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma 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.

Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other parts that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed 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 revealed the possibility of asbestos being in their products.

This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.

How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to expand further.

A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs.  Medford mesothelioma attorneys  of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.

Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment options are available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make them accountable for their actions.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for many years. 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 largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

In an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended 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 that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of state law.

J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced attorneys can help you receive compensation that you deserve.