A mass tort is a legal action where multiple injured individuals sue one or a few defendants for causing similar injuries through the same act of harm. While each person’s injury may vary in severity, the underlying cause of the injury is the same for all plaintiffs.
If you have been harmed by a defective product, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure where to turn next. A Pensacola mass torts lawyer could assess if your potential case qualifies as a mass tort and identify other individuals who may have been affected by the same issue. A personal injury attorney could represent you both in and out of the courtroom to fight for your rights and the justice you deserve.
Filing a Mass Tort Lawsuit
A mass tort case has a large number of plaintiffs who all suffered similar injuries from a common product or act of negligence. These cases are often confused with class action lawsuits. A mass tort case differs from a class action lawsuit in a few ways.
In a class action lawsuit, claims are grouped together, and any settlement or court award is divided among the injured plaintiffs. A class action features a lead plaintiff who is intended to represent all class members.
In a mass tort lawsuit, each plaintiff retains their individual lawsuit and the potential to recover individualized damages based on the value and extent of their losses. This means that each plaintiff’s specific injuries and damages are taken into account and require separate assessments and legal investigations.
To streamline the mass tort lawsuit process, courts may consolidate multiple mass tort cases from different jurisdictions into a multidistrict litigation. Multidistrict litigation groups related civil lawsuits into one federal district for pretrial proceedings. The goal of this type of litigation is to make the process more efficient, although each plaintiff retains their own individual claim and can still pursue their case separately based on their unique circumstances. In a mass tort case, potential compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes punitive damages.
Consulting with an experienced mass torts attorney in Pensacola is crucial to understanding your rights and maximizing your potential compensation.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Examples of Mass Torts Cases
Many people must be affected by the same harmful event to constitute a mass tort. Common examples of mass tort cases involving dangerous products include faulty medical devices like hip implants or transvaginal mesh, dangerous prescription drugs with severe side effects, and defective toys with choking hazards. Mass tort cases may also involve the exposure of large groups of people to toxic substances or certain household products with design flaws that cause widespread injuries.
Instances of mass tort claims related to toxic exposure include asbestos exposure, lead poisoning from contaminated water, or severe injuries from contaminated foods. Environmental torts, such as oil spills or chemical leaks, and accidents, such as plane crashes, train accidents, or explosions, may also give rise to a mass tort claim.
Injuries from mass torts can include strokes, cardiovascular issues, poisoning, internal injuries, brain damage, and various cancers. A mass tort lawyer in Pensacola is skilled at negotiating with large companies to achieve favorable settlements for entire groups of injured plaintiffs after a serious or deadly incident.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Contact a Pensacola Mass Torts Attorney
If you believe you have been harmed by a mass tort, the first step is to consult with a mass tort lawyer who can assess your situation, gather evidence, and advise you on whether to file a lawsuit. An experienced Pensacola mass torts lawyer could determine if you have been harmed by a product or action that has affected multiple people, like a defective drug or contaminated water supply.
It is vital to have an attorney by your side who could navigate the claims process, defend your rights at every stage, and seek your financial recovery. Call today to schedule your attorney consultation.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
