7 Things You've Never Known About Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.


Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, which is a fatal type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.

The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed the cause of his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. A number 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 been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.

When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation or the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What is the cause of Mesothelioma?

Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms appear. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.

North Charleston mesothelioma attorneys include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors can spread to other parts, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is usually fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 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 a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.

This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.

A physical examination and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused 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 identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which 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 that a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.

Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more serious cases, doctors can use a procedure known as pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.

A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis 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 have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. The company created a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine 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 should seek legal counsel immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Public Last updated: 2024-10-20 02:39:21 PM