Talcum Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Yesterday the Oakland mesothelioma case against J&J concluded with closing arguments. The plaintiff, who is 24 years old, told his story of emotional terror and grief after his cancer diagnosis.
J&J has won a number of defense verdicts during the past 14-month period in talcum-powder trials. But one huge decision could flip the talcum powder spectrum on its upside.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium. This is the lining of the membrane or lining which surrounds certain organs of the body. Mesothelium cancerous cells cause mesothelioma. This rare cancer can develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is a class of minerals that are composed of thin fibrous fibers. It was used for a variety of reasons, including insulation, fire retardant, and in manufacturing and construction. The most frequent exposure to asbestos occurs in the workplace such as construction and the U.S. Navy, and mining. These industries are at a greater risk of being exposed to mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be complicated and requires a range of tests. A doctor may measure the amount of fluid that is accumulating in the abdomen or chest, or remove mesothelium to examine under microscope. Based on the results, doctors can determine if it is mesothelioma, or rule it out. A biopsy is often the only method to confirm mesothelioma.
Patients and their families who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are facing significant financial burdens. They also have to deal with the pain, suffering and a diminished capacity to earn a living that comes with mesothelioma therapies. These expenses can quickly add up especially when the patient or family members need to seek out multiple forms of treatment.
Mesothelioma can be fatal, and typically takes years to develop symptoms. The symptoms can range from fatigue to bloody coughing and difficulty breathing. Frequently, the symptoms do not appear until years or even decades after the initial exposure to asbestos.
When mesothelioma does occur, it is classified as either benign or malignant. Benign tumors of the mesothelium are non-cancerous and do not develop into other organs of the body. Malignant mesothelioma can be a cancer that grows rapidly and is dangerous.
A mesothelioma settlement is a legal procedure where the victim or their heirs file a lawsuit with the companies responsible for asbestos exposure and the company pays the victim a lump-sum. This money can be used to pay for funeral expenses, medical costs, and living expenses.
How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?
Asbestos occurs naturally and is usually found in talc. Because the two minerals have similar geological features, many asbestos-related workers were also exposed talcum powder. So, if talcum powder was produced using raw materials that contained asbestos, it may have put people who were exposed to the product at risk of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of other 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 mining and manufacturing industries may have been exposed to talcum powder contaminated with asbestos since it was commonly employed in industrial formulations. Workers who handled these products containing talcum powder could carry the dust home on their clothes and shoes and potentially expose family members to asbestos.
Women who use talcum for feminine hygiene are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma, as the dust can enter the genital regions and cause cancer. The asbestos-contaminated talcum powder can also be inhaled, which can lead to pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma symptoms typically take decades to manifest, which means those who have been exposed to asbestos-containing talcum powder for long periods of time are at increased risk. The type of asbestos-containing mesothelioma determines the signs and prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is usually associated with coughing, chest pain and breathing difficulties. Peritoneal Mesothelioma can cause abdominal pain, swelling, and distension. Pericardial Mesothelioma can trigger symptoms such as heart murmurs and heart palpitations.
Lawyers with experience in mesothelioma lawsuits know asbestos exposure can manifest in many ways and can come from a variety of sources. Anyone suffering from mesothelioma or someone in the family who is suffering from symptoms that are related to the disease, should consult to a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as they are able to.
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims get compensation for medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages. An attorney can review medical reports and test results to determine the most appropriate method a victim must take when seeking compensation.
How do I find an Talcum Powder Pleural Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Talcum powder has been used for feminine hygiene products as well as a mineral for more than 100 years. federal way mesothelioma attorney has been linked to different types of cancers including ovarian cancer, mesothelioma and other types of cancers. A talcum powder lawsuit can assist you in recovering compensation if diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer or other related costs. A qualified talcum powder attorney from The Carlson Law Firm can analyze your case and determine whether you have a valid legal claim against Johnson & Johnson.
In the past few months, two juries in different states have handed out substantial verdicts in talcum powder mesothelioma lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. In one case, a jury handed down $18.1 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma caused by asbestos in J&J products made of talcum powder. In a different mesothelioma talcum powder trial, a jury awarded $29 million to the plaintiff's family in a wrongful death case.
A third mesothelioma involving talcum powder case against J&J is set for trial this month. Lawyers representing the woman claim that she contracted mesothelioma after using J&J talcum powder to cleanse her vagina for a number of decades. The lawsuit asserts that J&J did not inform consumers about the risks of mesothelioma from talcum powder, resulting in her illness and wrongful death.
Seven new cancer cases involving talcum powder have been added to the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) against Johnson & Johnson. The MDL includes more than 16,000 claims filed by women who were diagnosed with cancer of the ovary after the use of talcum powder by J&J.
The MDL was created after a judge ruled J&J's talcum powder as well as baby powder could be linked to ovarian carcinoma in a variety of cases. J&J denies these allegations. However, tests of old bottles of J&J talcum powder from homes and the J&J corporate office has revealed that the products may contain asbestos.
J&J's bankruptcy strategy has slowed settlement negotiations, but our talcum lawyers continue to fight for the families of victims and the victims' families. Our team will keep updating this page with information on settlements as it becomes available.
What are the possible damages in a talcum powder pleural mesothelioma case?
Asbestos victims who develop mesothelioma can be awarded damages for medical expenses, income loss and suffering. You may also receive compensation for emotional distress and loss of companionship due to mesothelioma. Compensation for the death of loved ones is also available.
People who have used products containing talcum powder which were contaminated with asbestos have been diagnosed with a form of mesothelioma called pleural mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and is potentially 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 asbestos-related dangers in its talcum powder, and other talcum product however, it failed to inform consumers. They assert that J&J also concealed asbestos test results and conducted flawed testing.
Johnson & Johnson is facing numerous lawsuits by women who have developed ovarian cancer after using its talcum powder products. They believe that the company knew about the link between the talcum powder and cancer of the ovary for a long time, but continued to promote its powder as safe.
The lawsuits for talcum powder filed against Johnson & Johnson allege that asbestos is present in the talc which is extracted to be used in J&J's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products. Talcum powder is used on genitals, and inhalation could result in asbestos fibers getting trapped in the lung. These asbestos fibers have been known to cause serious illnesses such as ovarian cancer, and lung fibrosis.
J&J denies the allegations and claims their talcum powder products are safe. The talcum powder lawsuit has already resulted billions of dollars to be paid out to mesothelioma patients as well as their families.
The law firm of Cooney & Conway represents clients who have been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related disease, due to long-term exposure to talcum powder. The attorneys of the firm are knowledgeable in talcum-powder mesothelioma and can assist you in understanding your legal rights. Contact us today to receive a no-cost case evaluation.