10 Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Related Projects That Can Stretch Your Creativity

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 that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.

This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at an increased risk of developing it.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. 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 region 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 include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.

Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium) and the organ itself.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the later mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of 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 in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being 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. In the same month, a jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in an identical case. In  Birmingham mesothelioma attorneys , seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.

How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to expand further.

A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.

The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.

Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are many options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding various mesothelioma cell types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment are available to them.

How Can I Get Help?

If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. 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 caused to their asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and other health problems.

J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the first major talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.

J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that 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 was negligent in not warning 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 filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can be pursued. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.