What is a Mass Tort?

The Ferraro Law Firm specializes in taking on big corporations to obtain justice for our clients who have been injured by corporate negligence. This often involves filing a mass tort. Our mass tort attorneys proudly represent individuals injured by asbestos exposure, dangerous drugs, and other defective products.

But what exactly is a mass tort? How can a mass tort help you, and how do you know if you qualify for one? We answered your most frequently asked mass tort questions below.

What is a Mass Tort?

A tort is a civil wrong that results in personal injury, financial loss, or another type of harm, filed by one individual (plaintiff). A mass tort involves a large group of plaintiffs suing one or multiple corporate defendants. A mass tort lawsuit is often filed by many individuals who have suffered similar substantial physical or financial injury due to a corporation’s negligence.

As a plaintiff, you have rights. You might be wondering whether or not your claim qualifies for a mass tort. Call our office at (888) 554-2030 and schedule your free case evaluation online to see if you qualify. Our mass tort lawyers have helped clients for over 30 years.

What is the Difference Between a Mass Tort, a Class Action, & Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)?

At first glance, a mass tort, a class action, and multidistrict litigation (MDL) might all sound the same. However, understanding the key differences of these lawsuits is essential to protecting your rights as a plaintiff.

Class Actions

A class action consolidates all claims into one large lawsuit. Plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit must certify their class and the claims, and the claims of each plaintiff are combined into one claim throughout the entire court process.

Mass Torts

Unlike a class action lawsuit, in a mass tort each plaintiff maintains a separate lawsuit against the corporation. All decisions regarding the case are made by the plaintiff and his or her attorney—not a large class action group.

Multidistrict litigation

Multidistrict litigation can be used by mass tort plaintiffs to move all claims to one court, regardless of where the injury might have occurred. Multidistrict litigation is different than a class action lawsuit since it consolidates multiple lawsuits into a single federal district court.

In order for an action to be consolidated into a multidistrict lawsuit, the civil action must share the same facts with other pending civil actions against the company. Unlike a class action lawsuit, multidistrict litigation allows a plaintiff to maintain their autonomy throughout the legal process, as each case is separate and independent of other similar cases in the same court.

Regardless of the type of civil lawsuit, The Ferraro Law Firm is here to help. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the complex legal process involved in large lawsuits. Call (888) 554-2030 for your free case evaluation.

What Are the Most Common Types of Mass Tort Claims?

Mass tort lawsuits are often filed over defective drugs or products that were sold to thousands of consumers. They may also be filed after a catastrophic accident, such as a plane crash that claims the lives of hundreds of people.

The Ferraro Law Firm specializes in defective drug cases. If the drug is defective due to a flaw in its design, development, or manufacturing, the manufacturer may be liable, as can the distributor of the pharmaceutical drug. For information on drug safety and the latest recalls, you can refer to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Our Florida dangerous drug lawyers have capably handled cases involving the following dangerous drugs:

• Accutane
• Actos
• Avandia
• Bextra
• Darvon / Darvocet
• Elmiron
• Ortho Evra Patch
• OxyContin
• Paxil
• Propecia / Proscar
• Que She
• Reglan
• Vioxx
• Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella
• Zantac®

Another common type of mass tort is a product liability lawsuit due to a defective product. Our product liability lawyers have filed lawsuits against defective automobiles, medical devices, electronic cigarettes, talcum powder, and more. You can check the Consumer Safety Product Commission for updates and alerts on defective products.

One of the largest mass torts of all time is exposure to asbestos. Our Florida mesothelioma lawyers have helped our clients with asbestos-related diseases for over 30 years recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Asbestos exposure has been linked to serious, deadly health issues, including mesothelioma, for decades. Common symptoms of mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain. At this time, there is no cure for mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, do not wait. Contact The Ferraro Law Firm to see what your legal options are. Our firm is one of the top five asbestos law firms in the United States that represents mesothelioma clients who are victims of asbestos exposure.

How Long Does a Mass Tort Case Take to Resolve?

Since every case is different, there are no set rules for how long a mass tort lawsuit will last. Some cases could be negotiated and resolved within months, while others may take several years. Some mass torts, such as asbestos lawsuits, have been ongoing for over 40 years.

An experienced mass tort attorney is essential to a successful case. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a corporation’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At The Ferraro Law Firm, you can trust us to vigorously advocate for your rights. Sign up for your free case evaluation today.

Why Are Mass Torts Filed?

Mass torts are filed to expedite the lawsuit process. Lawsuits can cost millions of dollars and go on for several years. A mass tort lawsuit helps alleviate these obstacles by moving all similar cases against a corporation to the same court to be litigated.

How Do You Join A Mass Tort Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a corporation’s negligence, you have rights. You should contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss all of your options. A skilled attorney can advise you on whether or not a mass tort lawsuit would be the best form of action for your situation.

Why Choose The Ferraro Law Firm?

Since 1985, The Ferraro Law Firm has routinely handled a variety of mass tort cases including product liability cases and defective drug cases.

At The Ferraro Law Firm, we are not afraid to take on drug companies and other large corporations. Our expert attorneys have billions of dollars in mass tort cases for our clients over the past 30 years.

Our firm handles all mass tort cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you are not obligated to pay ANY legal fees unless we win. Call (888) 554-2030 or schedule your free case consultation online.

Mass Tort FAQs