Are you wondering if you have a mass tort case? At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our mass tort attorneys understand how challenging these cases can be and are here to help. We offer personalized attention to each case, making sure we understand your specific situation and working tirelessly to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Don’t let the chance to fight for your rights slip away. Contact Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
What Is a Mass Tort?
A mass tort is a type of legal case where many people (plaintiffs) sue one or more parties (defendants) for the harm they have suffered due to a common issue. Unlike class-action lawsuits, where one plaintiff represents an entire group of cases, in a mass tort, each plaintiff’s case is handled individually. This approach recognizes that each person might have suffered harm in a different way.
Mass torts commonly deal with cases like widespread environmental disasters, harmful pharmaceuticals, defective products, and large-scale accidents. For instance, if a defective drug causes different health problems for thousands of people, each of these people can file a lawsuit as part of a mass tort. They sue the drug company to get compensation for their specific injuries and related losses.
Mass Tort Cases Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers Can Handle
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we can handle all types of mass torts, including cases that involve the following:
- California Wildfire Lawsuits: Plaintiffs who have suffered losses in California wildfires often sue for compensation for lost homes, health issues from smoke inhalation, and emotional distress.
- Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits:These involve legal actions by former residents and employees of Camp Lejeune, a military base that had contaminated drinking water.
- Consumer Data Breach Lawsuits: These cases arise when a company fails to protect consumer data, and plaintiffs seek compensation for harm like identity theft and financial loss.
- Defective IVC Filter Lawsuits: These filters, designed to prevent blood clots, have been found to fracture or migrate, causing severe complications like organ damage or blood vessel perforation.
- Elmiron Lawsuits:These lawsuits involve individuals who used Elmiron, a medication for bladder conditions, and subsequently suffered vision problems like maculopathy, a serious eye disorder.
- Exactech Lawsuits: Some patients who received Exactech joint replacements have claimed that the implants were defective, leading to issues like premature wear and bone loss.
- Hair Relaxer Lawsuits: These claims against manufacturers of chemical hair relaxers involve plaintiffs who developed health issues like cancer, uterine fibroids, and hormonal imbalances.
- Hernia Mesh Lawsuits: In these cases, patients who had hernia repair surgeries and received mesh implants sue manufacturers for complications like infections and organ damage.
- Ozempic Lawsuits: This litigation alleges that the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound did not adequately warn users of dangerous side effects, including gastroparesis and gastroenteritis.
- Paraquat Lawsuits: These lawsuits involve people who were exposed to Paraquat, a toxic herbicide, and later developed Parkinson’s disease.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse lawsuits involve victims suing their abusers or institutions like churches, schools, or sports teams that enabled the abuse.
- Shooting Victim PTSD: These lawsuits involve people who survived a shooting and developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result.
- Taxotere Lawsuits: These involve patients who received Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug, and subsequently suffered permanent hair loss (alopecia) with no warning of this side effect.
Can I Get Compensation from a Mass Tort Case?
You could be entitled to compensation from a mass tort case if you have suffered harm due to a product, drug, or event that also affected many others. One key indicator of a mass tort case is whether you have experienced injuries or losses similar to those reported by a large group of people under similar circumstances. For instance, if you suffered health problems after using a specific medication and you know others have had similar issues with the drug, you might have a mass tort case.
Another relevant factor is whether there are ongoing lawsuits related to your situation. Many mass tort cases make the news, especially if they involve defective products, environmental disasters, or dangerous drugs. If you find cases similar to yours, it’s a strong sign you might be part of a mass tort.
The best way to determine whether you could be part of a mass tort is to consult a lawyer who handles these types of cases. They can evaluate your situation, compare it to existing cases, and advise you on your eligibility to join a mass tort. Remember, each mass tort case is unique, so it’s wise to have a professional analyze your situation and determine how it might fit into a broader legal action.
With a successful mass tort case, you could receive compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Income losses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage costs
How Much Will It Cost Me to Hire a Mass Tort Attorney?
If you’re considering hiring a mass tort attorney, one of the biggest concerns you might have is the cost. Many law firms charge their clients hundreds or even thousands of dollars per hour. This can quickly add up, especially in complex mass tort cases that take a long time to resolve. However, at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we approach things differently to ease your financial worries.
First, we offer free consultations. This means you can discuss your case with our experienced attorneys without any cost. During your consultation, we will review the specifics of your situation and provide initial guidance on how to proceed. You won’t have to worry about upfront fees just to get your questions answered and learn about your legal options.
Moreover, we accept cases on a contingency basis. This is significantly different from hourly billing. With a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay anything upfront. Our firm only gets paid if we win your case or secure a settlement for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of any compensation we recover for you, so you can rest assured that our interests align with yours.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our goal is to make it financially feasible for you to pursue justice and compensation without the stress of worrying about how you’ll afford legal services. That way, you can focus on your recovery and leave the legal complexities to us.
Who Could Be Liable in a Mass Tort Case?
Determining who is responsible is essential in a mass tort case. Below, we outline some of the common parties that could be liable in various mass tort scenarios:
- Manufacturers: In cases involving defective products, drugs, or medical devices, the manufacturers of these items are often liable. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe. If they release a harmful product, they can be liable for the harm it causes.
- Distributors and Retailers: Sometimes, the companies that distribute or sell defective products can also be liable. If these parties knew or should have known about the product’s dangers and still sold it, they might face legal consequences.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: For mass torts involving harmful medications, pharmaceutical companies are often liable. These companies must properly test drugs for safety and warn patients of potential side effects. Failure to do so can lead to lawsuits.
- Chemical Companies: In cases of environmental contamination or exposure to toxic substances, chemical companies that produce these harmful substances might be liable. This includes cases involving things like water contamination or exposure to toxic herbicides.
- Employers and Corporations: In situations where employees get exposed to harm due to the negligence of their employers or a corporation’s actions, these entities can be liable. This can occur in cases involving issues like workplace safety violations that lead to widespread harm.
- Government Entities: Sometimes, government bodies might be liable in cases involving public infrastructure or services, like contaminated water supplied by a city.
- Healthcare Providers and Hospitals: In cases involving medical malpractice or negligence, healthcare providers like doctors and hospitals can be liable.
- Property Owners: In mass torts involving hazards on a property, such as exposure to asbestos in a building, the property owner might be liable.
How Long Do I Have to Join a Mass Tort?
If you’re considering joining a mass tort, it’s important to know how long you have to take action. In California, the specific time you have to join a mass tort depends on the type of case. For most personal injury cases, including mass torts involving personal injuries, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions, and different types of cases might have different deadlines.
It’s important to act quickly if you think you have a mass tort case since you could lose your right to file a lawsuit if you wait too long. You should consult a lawyer as soon as you know you might have a case to keep your options open and ensure you meet any relevant deadlines.
Contact a Mass Tort Lawyer Now
Ready to get started with your mass tort case? Reach out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers now for a free consultation. Our dedicated team is here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and guide you through your next steps.
