It's Time To Increase Your Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Options

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 marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split 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 lethal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-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 its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed the cause of his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers since several decades. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers which include 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 been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few 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 as well as other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.


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

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the duration of their survival.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body creating severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it is usually 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 the company knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but didn't warn customers. McAllen mesothelioma lawsuit cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month and brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to expand further.

A physical examination and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.

The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases.

The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure that seals the space to stop fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.

A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a myriad of options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.

How Can I get help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this constituted a violation of state law.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Public Last updated: 2024-10-19 09:56:12 PM