7 Tricks To Help Make The Most Out Of Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked 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 is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers since decades. The company has a long track record of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty 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 and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be 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 life expectancy.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos.
nampa mesothelioma lawyer of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most 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 latter stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease, and is often fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. 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 could be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and allow cancer to expand further.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is more rare and only represents about one percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure which seals the area in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this was an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can be pursued. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.