How To Choose The Right Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit On The Internet

Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for 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.

Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing the disease.

The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. In  what is the average settlement for a mesothelioma case , 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 the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from the public for decades. The company has a long track record of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even 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 on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.

Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.

When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes 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 duration of their survival.

What causes Mesothelioma?

Like all cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to different areas of the body, creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is usually fatal.

The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.

This is just the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?

The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and the spread of cancer.

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

The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.

The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as 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, an operation which seals the area in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.

A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells which determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their actions.

Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.

In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.

J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.

The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J: that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer resulting from the talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of state law.

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