What Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit And Why Is Everyone Talking About It

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at an increased risk of developing it.
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 plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced 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.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through physical 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 or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of their survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month which brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical examination and a blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining of the lung, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining around the abdomen, is a less common form. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area to stop the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this resulted in a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. 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 skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.