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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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.

In the beginning of this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining surrounding organs and cavities in the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher 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 testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.

J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. J&J has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.

Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits 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 the danger.

Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease through a 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 be 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 is the cause of 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 common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of fields which include mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is usually diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. YouTube is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.

Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body causing severe discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and a 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 trial in Oakland involved a man aged 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 was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.

This is only the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder, and last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?

A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.

A physical exam and blood sample can help to 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 a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.

The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is much less common and makes up approximately 1percent of cases.

Some of the earliest symptoms include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos victims may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.

A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.

A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.

How Can I Get Help?

If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.

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

J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.





In 2018, one of the first major Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.

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

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

J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.