The Complete List Of Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit Dos And Don'ts
Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer however, they failed to warn consumers of the risk.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors can expand to other parts of the body that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, nausea difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder, and last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case involving the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unneeded treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine the area under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is much less common and makes up approximately 1percent of cases.
The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which use an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Salem mesothelioma lawyer used to be widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.

J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company set up an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in an infraction of 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 near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.