15 Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Benefits Everyone Should Know

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 caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.

In the beginning of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma causing agent and those 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 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, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of the danger.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can identify 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, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body causing severe pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present 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 to a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month which brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most 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 or not?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to expand further.

A physical exam and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.

The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining around the abdomen is a less well-known form. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases.

Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space to stop the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.

A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which uses an electromagnetic field to eliminate cancerous cells.

A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact  Alameda mesothelioma attorneys  for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and make them accountable for their wrongful conduct.

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.

J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the stage for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

However, in an effort to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stayed the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.

The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this resulted in an infraction to the law of the state.

J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.