Mass Tort Lawyer

December 4, 2024 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

Occasionally, a manufacturer or other entity causes serious injury to more than one person. When multiple consumers or product users experience similar injuries due to someone else's negligence, they may have grounds to pursue mass tort litigation. Not all lawyers know how to handle these cases. The mass tort lawyers at Dolman Law Group have the experience needed to guide you through the complex maze of mass tort litigation.

Typical mass tort claims involve several people injured by a single event or multiple events occurring over time. These cases may involve a defective medical device, dangerous drug, harmful consumer product, or widespread chemical exposure. Those affected can join in a lawsuit to pursue compensation for their losses.

Collective representation is usually cheaper and easier than individual representation. Plus, there's a higher chance of a successful outcome when several injured people are collectively represented. There also may be fewer legal obstacles to overcome as a group.

Unfortunately, some states do not allow this, so they have created their own versions of mass tort litigation. These laws vary from state to state and may provide more or less protection for consumers harmed by dangerous products. For example, California has Proposition 65, which requires warning labels on products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or congenital disabilities. Other states' laws do not address this situation.

Dolman Law Group is well acquainted with the rules regarding mass torts, and we know how to protect your right to receive legal damages. Over several years, our mass tort attorneys have represented many clients involved in mass torts and secured fair case results. We understand what it takes to win these cases and will work hard to help you achieve your goals.

How Can Dolman Law Group Help Me Join a Mass Tort Litigation?

We represent plaintiffs in personal injury claims, medical malpractice claims, product liability claims, wrongful death claims, and other types of claims that may qualify for a mass tort lawsuit. We have trial attorneys who are ready to fight for you. Our accident and injury lawyers will take care of every aspect of your case from start to finish, ensuring your voice is heard among the others who are facing similar challenges.

More specifically, our experienced legal team has represented clients in mass tort litigation. We have handled many complex cases, including:

We will handle every aspect of your claim, including:

  • Discovery (gathering evidence)
  • Trial preparation
  • Motion hearings
  • Expert witness involvement
  • Trial presentation and legal arguments
  • Settlement negotiations
  • Post-trial motions
  • Distribution of settlement or verdict proceeds

What is Mass Tort Litigation vs. a Class Action Lawsuit?

Mass Tort Litigation refers to a type of legal action where many plaintiffs file lawsuits against a common defendant or group of defendants over similar or related claims. These claims typically involve personal injury or harm caused by a product or service, and the plaintiffs seek compensation for their financial losses. 

In mass tort cases, the plaintiffs are typically too numerous to be heard in a single trial, so the cases are often consolidated for pre-trial proceedings and sometimes for trial as well. Mass tort litigation is a way for individuals to seek justice and compensation for harm suffered on a large scale. It can also bring attention to dangerous products or practices and lead to changes in the law.

Mass tort litigation shares similarities with class action lawsuits in that it allows individuals to collectively negotiate for compensation for their injuries. However, in contrast to class actions, mass tort settlements generally value the plaintiffs' claims individually, allowing them to obtain compensation related to the degree of their unique damages. 

For example, if two people were exposed to a dangerous drug or defective product, one may have developed a respiratory illness, while another claimant lost a loved one from using the same product. Both deserve fair compensation; however, the amounts will vary based on the severity of these losses. 

For this reason, among many others, it's crucial to have an experienced mass tort attorney on your side if you decide to pursue this form of litigation. A skilled mass tort legal representative can negotiate for maximum compensation that's tailored to your claim. Contact us today to learn more about how Dolman Law Group can help you fight for the successful resolution of your claim. 

Mass Torts and Multi-District Litigation (MDL)

Many mass tort cases involve multidistrict litigation (MDL), which combines multiple lawsuits from mass tort plaintiffs in front of one federal judge. When an MDL is formed, the court appoints several lawyers to serve on the plaintiffs' steering committee. Multidistrict litigation expedites the discovery process of mass tort claims by allowing multiple plaintiffs access to copies of the same information so they can use this information to build several similar cases.

Working with a law firm with experience in mass tort cases and multidistrict litigation is imperative when considering how to maximize your potential compensation in this type of personal injury claim. These cases can take months or years to resolve, and you deserve a legal team that will go the distance and fight for your rights for however long it takes.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Mass Tort Litigation Lawyer?

The cost of hiring a mass tort lawyer depends on the firm and your type of claim. If you talk to one of our competitor law firms, they may charge you thousands of dollars per hour. That's not how we treat our clients.

At Dolman Law Group, you'll receive free consultations, and we always work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won't pay any attorney's fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. Since our fees are based on a percentage of your recovery, we both have great incentive to fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.

We will explain your options and advise whether you have the legal basis to pursue a particular claim. If you decide to proceed, we will prepare a detailed agreement outlining the terms of our representation, including the percentage of your settlement or judgment that we will take as our fee. If we do not win your case, you do not pay fees.

Mass Tort Lawyer Near Me

866-481-5347

Am I Eligible for Compensation Through a Personal Injury Mass Tort Case?

Most states have statutes that allow personal injury victims to pursue compensation. In a mass tort case, you could be eligible to file a mass tort claim and receive compensation under the following circumstances:

  • You were exposed to a harmful substance or object.
  • You suffered bodily harm because of the exposure.
  • Someone else's negligence caused your exposure.
  • The responsible party failed to warn you of the potential dangers associated with your exposure.

You might not even have to prove that the defendant's negligence caused you to be injured. You might only have to prove that you used a certain product as directed and suffered injuries.

Is There a Deadline to File My Mass Tort Lawsuit?

The deadline for mass tort lawsuits varies depending on your state. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations begins running when you are first diagnosed with a disease or condition. For example, if you suffer from mesothelioma, the statute of limitations would start running when you were first diagnosed with this cancer.

Most states require that you bring a suit within a few years of discovering your injury. Some states allow you additional time to file your complaint if you did not know about your injury for a period of time after you were harmed. Our mass tort team assists with cases throughout the United States and can help you understand how your jurisdiction's laws may affect your claim.

What Happens Next? When Can I Join With Other Mass Tort Cases?

Once you sign an engagement letter, we will start working on your case. Our attorneys at Dolman Law Group will review your medical records and evaluate your claim. We will determine whether it makes sense to take your case to trial. Your lawyer will always discuss this decision with you.

If we agree to work together, we will draft a complaint, request information from the other side, and answer their interrogatories and requests. These documents will tell the story and help us build a strong case. We may need to depose witnesses who saw you at work, doctors who treated you, and experts who can testify as to what happened.

We will also try to settle your case before going to court. Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement without having to go to trial. If a fair settlement is not possible, we will be prepared to go to trial to ensure your legal rights are protected.

If it makes sense in your case, you could join an ongoing mass tort case (or we could start one with other victims who suffered similar injuries due to the same at-fault party).

Who May Be at Fault for My Personal Injuries?

The parties at fault for your injuries will depend on how you were injured. We can explain who may be responsible for your losses depending on whether:

  • You were hurt by chemicals or machinery at work
  • You were injured while using a product
  • A medical device injured you
  • A baby product harmed your child
  • You were injured by taking a dangerous drug

Manufacturers, sellers, chemical companies, your employer, a municipality, a construction company, and many more parties could be at fault for your injuries. Our skilled lawyers will explore and investigate the circumstances that led to your losses. We may then reach out to other victims and start a mass tort against the appropriate party.

How do I know If My Situation Qualifies As a Mass Tort?

There are many different ways to classify a lawsuit as a mass tort. For example, some courts consider all product liability lawsuits mass torts. Other courts look only at those cases involving more than one defendant.

Some courts use a three-part test to determine whether a mass tort case is viable. This test asks:

  • Does the plaintiff's injury involve a single event or occurrence?
  • Is the number of defendants high enough to make joining multiple cases impractical?
  • Do the claims arise from the same set of basic facts?

Speak to one of our mass tort lawyers about your options and whether your case qualifies for mass tort litigation. It won't cost you a penny to learn about your specific rights.

What Compensation is Available to Me in a Mass Tort Case?

Injured claimants who achieve a successful case outcome are eligible to receive both economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Lost wages and income
  • Medical bills and expenses, including physical therapy, surgery, and medications
  • Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
  • Pain and suffering

Our experienced tort lawyers will evaluate your losses and work to achieve a settlement that is appropriate to your individual case while working to maximize the amount.

Dolman Law Group Will Fight for the Damages You Deserve

Personal Injury Lawyer
Matt Dolman, Mass Tort Attorney

The best way to find out if you have a good case for a mass tort lawsuit is to talk to us. Our skilled mass tort attorneys will explain how our experience has helped other clients get fair settlements and recover damages. Call Dolman Law Group today at (727) 451-6900.

We represent clients in mass tort claims, individual lawsuits, or when pursuing insurance or workers' compensation claims.

The Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions wherein we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State's ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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