Is Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit As Crucial As Everyone Says?
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division. In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder. What is Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease 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 was opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed the cause of his condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million. J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers, including 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. oklahoma mesothelioma lawsuit claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of this danger. Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays. After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival. What is the cause of Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself. Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different parts of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within 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 was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to 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 to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products. This is just the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending 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 or not? A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and the spread of cancer. A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only one percent of all cases. Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura. Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell. A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician 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 used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence. Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos used to be widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and other health problems. J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs. In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the stage for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state. In an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company established a new entity to assume its obligations. The bankruptcy was able to halt 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 filed against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this was an infraction to the law of the state. J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.