After George’s devastating car accident, he learned that his car contained defective devices that caused or contributed to his accident. He decided to sue the manufacturer and seller of the vehicle. George and his attorney soon learned that a number of other people had been injured because of the same defect. His claims might become part of a mass tort case.
Mass Tort, Defined
Several types of litigation exist. People can sue because of:
- Injuries suffered in an accident;
- Medical malpractice;
- Breach of contract;
- The need to stop someone from doing something; and
- Damages caused by a defective product or service.
This is just a shortlist of reasons. Basically, if someone else harmed you in some way, you might have a lawsuit.
Mass torts, however, are different. Tort means an act or omission that hurts another person or entity. A mass tort is an act or omission that harms many people. The ‘mass’ part of mass tort refers to the fact that the case involves multiple people instead of a single plaintiff.
Examples of Mass Tort Cases
A lawsuit involving a dog bite or slip-and-fall claim is not going to be considered a mass tort. However, the following events might lead to a mass tort case:
- Toxic waste disposal that contaminates land and water.
- Pollution from factories and industrial complexes.
- Commercial plane crashes.
- Products that cause cancer and other serious medical disorders.
- Defective products.
Some of the most well-known types of cases are listed below:
- Asbestos – People developed cancers, including mesothelioma, because of exposure to asbestos-containing products.
- Tobacco. Big tobacco companies failed to notify consumers of the health risks associated with their products.
- Agent Orange. Many soldiers and their families were affected by exposure to this toxic substance.
- Breast Implants. Some people claimed that breast implants caused cancer, autoimmune disease, and other serious medical conditions.
- E-Cigarettes. Companies that manufactured and sold e-cigarettes for vaping allegedly failed to warn consumers of potential health risks.
In each case, so many people were injured that lawsuits became mass tort cases. As they began to work their way through the court system, some cases settled for millions of dollars while others went to trial.
Call Us to Discuss Your Potential Litigation Claims.
If you are interested in the matters discussed in this blog, be sure to call us for a free consultation or leave a comment. You may be part of a potential mass tort case or have a personal injury claim that needs attention.
At the Dailey Law Firm, P.C., our team of skilled lawyers and professionals provide the high-quality legal services you need. Call us at 844-342-5353 to set up a free consultation or use the Contact Form on our website. It won’t cost you a penny to chat with us.
We represent clients throughout the entire United States. You can reach us online or visit one of our offices in Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; or Valparaiso, IN.