Talcum Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuit
The Oakland mesothelioma lawsuit filed against J&J was heard in closing arguments yesterday. The plaintiff, 24, told his personal story of fear and devastation over his cancer diagnosis.
J&J has won a number of defense verdicts over the past 14 months in talcum-powder trials. But one huge decision could flip the talcum powder kaleidoscope its upside.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium which is the lining or membrane that surrounds certain organs of the body. Mesothelioma can be caused by cancerous cells that reside in the mesothelium's lining. This rare cancer can develop in those who have been exposed asbestos.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that have small, fibrous fibers. It was used for many reasons, including insulation and fire retardant as well as in construction and manufacturing. The most frequent exposure to asbestos is due to work in industries like construction and the U.S. Navy, and mining. The workers in these industries are at increased risk for exposure to mesothelioma.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma can be complicated and requires a range of tests. A doctor can remove mesothelium in a small amount to be examined under microscopes or by measuring the amount of fluid that has accumulated. Based on the results, doctors can either diagnose mesothelioma or rule out the possibility. A biopsy is usually the only method to confirm mesothelioma.
Patients and their families who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma face significant financial difficulties. They also have to deal with the suffering, pain and diminished capacity to earn a living that comes along with mesothelioma treatments. These costs can add up quickly especially when the patient or family members have to look for various forms of treatment.
It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest. The symptoms can range from fatigue to bloody coughing and difficulty breathing. The symptoms can take years or even decades to manifest after asbestos exposure.
If mesothelioma develops it is classified as benign or malignant. Benign tumors in the mesothelium are not cancerous and they do not cause any harm. They do not. Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops rapidly and is a risk.
A mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is a procedure whereby the victim or their heirs sue companies responsible for asbestos exposure, and in return the company gives a lump sum to the victim. The compensation is used to pay for funeral expenses, medical costs and living expenses.
What is the process that causes asbestos to lead to mesothelioma?
Asbestos is a mineral naturally occurring that is usually found in close proximity to talc. Many who worked in the asbestos industry were exposed to talcum because the two minerals share similar geological features. If talcum powder is fabricated from raw materials that contain asbestos, then the people who consume the product may be at risk of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of different ways. For example, asbestos-contaminated talcum powder could have been used in asbestos-reinforced cosmetics and personal hygiene products such as mascara, lipstick, foundation and deodorant.
In addition, employees in the manufacturing and mining industries may have been exposed to talcum powder that was contaminated with asbestos because it was commonly used in industrial formulations. Workers who handled these talcum-powder-containing products may have brought the dust back to their clothing and shoes and exposed their families to asbestos.
Women who use talcum for feminine hygiene are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma, since the dust can infiltrate genital areas and cause cancer. The asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can also be inhaled, which can lead to pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma signs typically take a long time to manifest, which means those who have been exposed talcum powder containing asbestos for long periods of time are at greater risk. The type of mesothelioma that is asbestos-containing determines the symptoms and prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma can cause chest pain, coughing and difficulty breathing. Peritoneal Mesothelioma may cause abdominal pain, swelling, and distension. Pericardial Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms such as heart murmurs or heart palpitations.
Lawyers with experience in mesothelioma lawsuits are aware that asbestos exposure can occur in many ways and from many different sources. Anyone suffering from mesothelioma or a family member experiencing symptoms related to the disease, should speak with a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as they can.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients obtain compensation for medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages. An attorney can review medical documents and test results to determine the best method a victim must take when seeking compensation.
How Do I Find a Talcum Powder Pleural Mesothelioma Attorney?
Talcum powder has been used in feminine hygiene products as well as a mineral for more than 100 years. However, it has been linked to various kinds of cancers including ovarian and mesothelioma cancer. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, a talcum powder lawsuit could allow you to recover compensation for medical expenses as well as other costs associated with the diagnosis. The Carlson Law Firm's talcum-powder lawyer will review your claim to determine if there's an legal case against Johnson & Johnson.
In the past few months, two juries from different states handed down substantial verdicts in talcum powder mesothelioma cases against Johnson & Johnson. In one case the jury gave $18.1 million to the family of a woman who had died from mesothelioma caused by asbestos in J&J products containing talcum powder. In another talcum powder mesothelioma trial the jury awarded $29 million to the plaintiff's family in a wrongful-death case.
This month, a third mesothelioma suit involving talcum powder and J&J will be argued. The woman's attorneys argue that she was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to using J&J talcum powder for decades to cleanse her vagina. The lawsuit alleges that J&J did not warn customers about the dangers of talcum powder mesothelioma, resulting in her illness and death wrongful.
As of late, seven cases of cancer involving talcum powder have been added to the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Johnson & Johnson. The MDL contains more than 16,000 claims filed by women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder products from J&J.
The MDL was formed after a judge decided that J&J's talcum powder and baby powder were linked to ovarian carcinoma in several cases. J&J denies the claims. However, tests of old bottles J&J talcum products from homes as well as the J&J corporate office has proven that the powder may contain asbestos.
Stockton &J's bankruptcy strategy has slowed settlement talks, however, our talcum lawyers continue to fight for the families of victims and the victims' families. Our team will keep updating this page with settlement information as it becomes available.
What are the damages in the Talcum Powder Pleural Mesothelioma Case?
Asbestos victims who develop mesothelioma can be awarded damages for their medical expenses, income loss and suffering and pain. They may also be compensated for the loss of companionship and emotional distress caused by mesothelioma. Compensation for the death of loved ones is also available.
Pleural mesothelioma is one form of mesothelioma discovered in those who have used talcum products that were contaminated with asbestos. This type of cancer affects the lung's lining and can be fatal. Many victims claim that asbestos-contaminated talcum powder from Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers caused their mesothelioma.
Plaintiffs claim that J&J knew about the asbestos-related risks in its talcum powder and other talcum products however, it failed to inform consumers. They assert that J&J also hid asbestos test results and conducted flawed tests.
Johnson & Johnson is facing a number of lawsuits filed by women who have developed ovarian cancer following the use of its talcum powder products. They claim that the company knew about the connection between talcum and ovarian carcinoma for a long time but continued to promote its talcum products as safe.
Johnson & Johnson is being sued over talcum powder claims that asbestos is present in the talc used make their Baby Powder and Shower To Shower products. Talcum powder is used on genitals, and inhaling the powder could result in asbestos fibers being trapped in the lungs. These asbestos fibers have been recognized to cause serious illness like ovarian cancer and lung fibrosis.
J&J has denied the allegations and has claimed that their talcum powders are safe. However the talcum powder lawsuit has already resulted in billions of dollars in payouts to mesothelioma victims and their families.
The law firm of Cooney & Conway represents clients who have been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness due to exposure for a long time to talcum powder. The firm's lawyers are experts in talcum-powder mesothelioma and can assist you in understanding your legal rights. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation on your case.