New Jersey Mass Tort Attorneys

Taken Zantac or used Talcum Powder and developed cancer? Has your Hernia Mesh caused you health complications? If so, Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC can help.

Reports from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that more than 1.3 million people are injured as a result of medication errors annually. There are thousands of cases involving large groups of patients who suffer similar effects as a result of using the same product. This is commonly referred to as a mass tort lawsuit in Newark. In recent news, three different products have been brought to the forefront that seem to be causing widespread injuries, illnesses, and complications across the country. These products are Zantac, Hernia Mesh, and Talcum Powder.

In New Jersey, we are seeing more victims coming forward to report their injuries and damages that they have suffered after using one of these products. Victims who sustain an injury because of the use of one of these products may be entitled to compensation to alleviate the physical, mental, emotional, and financial burdens they face because of a defective product. It is crucial to act quickly to ensure that your legal rights are protected as soon as possible. 

Our Newark Mass Tort attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC have extensive experience helping victims and their families protect their legal rights after being harmed by a defective product or medication. Our team has handled some of the most complex and complicated cases surrounding medical malpractice and mass tort injuries in New Jersey, and we are dedicated to providing aggressive and effective legal representation to those in need. Contact our personal injury law firm in Newark as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected and you can get the compensation you will need to heal from your injuries.

Similarities in Mass Tort Claims

Mass tort claims have unique characteristics that set them apart from most other types of injury cases. In all mass torts lawsuits, a large number of claims derived from the use of a single product or an event. All of the claims made by injured victims have factual and legal issues that are similar. Mass tort claims often share identical or very similar issues of law and facts centered on the product.

Mass tort claimants often share a common goal, which is why the cases are often consolidated during the initial process of the claim. Combining multiple claims into a mass tort lawsuit promotes judicial economy, as well as consistency. One judge is able to decide the issues surrounding discovery and the application of the law. 

Unlike class-action lawsuits, each claimant has their own, individual case. Each client is able to retain control over any decisions regarding their legal case and proceeding forward. If a victim’s personal case goes to trial, it is tried independently of the other cases in the mass tort claim. 

The mass tort process enables our court system to seek a balance in the interest of all injured parties while providing them cost-efficient and the process of a timely trial. Our attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC understand the challenges that injured victims endure as they attempt to move forward after being injured by one of these products. For this reason, our New Jersey mass tort lawyers work diligently to provide them with trustworthy and effective legal representation every step of the way.

Hernia Mesh Lawsuits in New Jersey

Every year, more than 100,000 hernia surgeries are performed throughout the United States. Roughly 80% of these surgeries include the implantation of a device called hernia mesh. This mesh-like substrate provides strength and stabilizes the abdominal tissues to repair a hernia. Although many patients undergo hernia repair surgeries without any complications, there are some cases where hernias are corrected through the use of polypropylene mesh. This type of mesh is known to lead to severe complications, which can be painful and life-threatening in some cases. 

Patients who are implanted with polypropylene mesh suffer an array of adverse side effects from these products. Some of the most commonly linked incidents of adverse health consequences and complications we see as a result of using polypropylene mesh include:

  • Adhesions (where mesh adheres to organs or scar-like tissues that connect two organs together)
  • Infections
  • Chronic pain
  • Fistulas (the abnormal connection between intestines, organs, or vessels)
  • Hernia recurrence
  • Hernia mesh migration
  • Hernia mesh rejection

These severe adverse reactions often require hospitalization. Many of these complications lead to patients needing further surgery. Though recent studies have demonstrated that using this mesh is not advised in hernia surgeries, doctors and surgeons continue to use the mesh in markets across the country and many facilities right here in New Jersey.

Victims who suffer complications from hernia mesh can experience an array of complications. These include:

  • Bleeding
  • Increased swelling in the groin or abdominal area
  • Persistent fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Inability to urinate
  • Chills
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • Persistent cough 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Foul-smelling pus from the site of the incision
  • Redness surrounding the incision that worsens over time
  • An inability to eat or drink liquids

If you or a loved one has undergone hernia surgery and experienced complications from hernia mesh failure, contact our mass tort attorneys in Newark, New Jersey, to explore legal options available for you.

Talcum Powder Lawsuits in New Jersey

Talc is a mineral that is composed of several elements, mainly silicon and magnesium. This product is easily ground down into a fine, white powder that works exceptionally well for absorbing oils, odors, and moisture. The astringent effects of talc make it a prevalent option for foot powders, baby powder, and cosmetics. Though talc-based products can provide various benefits for consumers, it comes with potentially life-threatening consequences.

In 2010, the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that the use of talcum powder on the perineal region of the body increases the risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer. This form of cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women throughout the country, claiming the lives of more than 14,500 women annually. As a result of these findings, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson, claiming that the company knew about the ovarian cancer risks associated with the use of talc-based products and continued to sell it to the unsuspecting masses. 

Women with ovarian cancer can experience the following symptoms:

  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back pain
  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge
  • Feeling full too quickly
  • Having difficulties eating
  • Changes in urination and bowel habits

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be mild in early stages, which makes it less likely to be detected before it is too late and in the later stages of the disease. Statistics show that more than 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States each year. Numerous studies conducted by various health and science organizations found that women who use talc-based products are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Tests conducted in 2013 and 2016 confirmed these findings. 

The alarming results by both the 2013 study published by the Cancer Prevention Research, the April 2016 study published by Epidemiology, as well as the October 2016 study published by the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention prompted the beginning of the FDA’s research in 2017 surrounding the use of talc-based products and their links to ovarian cancer. Findings by the FDA prompted thousands of people to come forward and protect their legal rights after suffering these debilitating complications. 

If you have or a loved one used a talc-based product and developed ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation to help alleviate the financial burdens you face for medical treatment and other damages. Contact a mass tort attorney in Newark as soon as possible to explore legal options available for you.

Zantac Lawsuits in New Jersey

On April 1, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration requested the immediate removal of all versions of over-the-counter Zantac (ranitidine) products from the market. Zantac is a medication that belongs to the H2 blockers class. This medication was used by patients to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms resulting from the excess acid production in the stomach.

The FDA’s recall was prompted by the findings that various ranitidine products contained an organic compound called N- Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a known carcinogen. Not only do Zantac and other ranitidine medications contain this organic compound, but studies found that the NDMA levels in these products increase significantly over time under normal storage conditions. NDMA has been linked to various forms of cancer, including:

  • Bladder Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Liver Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Stomach Cancer
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • And Other Forms of Cancer

If you or a loved one took over-the-counter ranitidine or prescription Zantac for at least one month, and have developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our team at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC today to speak directly to an attorney about legal options available to you.

Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC Can Help You

Our Newark, New Jersey mass tort attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC are dedicated to helping victims get the justice they deserve after being harmed. Our team provides aggressive legal representation to ensure wrongdoers are held accountable. If you were injured as a result of using Talcum powder, Zantac, or Hernia Mesh, contact our law firm today to explore legal options available for you. Call (201) 997-0030 at your earliest convenience to meet with our mass tort attorneys in Newark, New Jersey or Jersey City personal injury lawyers to explore legal options available for you.