A mass tort occurs when many people suffer a similar injury in a similar manner after using the same product. Because all of the victims are similarly situated, all of their claims can be combined and heard together. Mass tort litigation is truly an example of a time when there is strength in numbers. In order to have a mass tort, a claim must have three distinctive features:
- A mass tort must involve large numbers of claims that can be linked to a single product or company;
- No matter how many claimants there are, there must be factual and legal issues that are the same
for all of them; and - There must be value interdependence between all
of the claims.
Mass torts can arise (and may include product liability claims) when a product is released to the public and turns out to be dangerous and cause serious injury to those who use it. These cases can also come from claims resulting from large-scale man-made disasters.
In a mass tort lawsuit, those who have been injured by the product or the event can be compensated, among other things, for:
• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
Because of the nature of these claims, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the companies responsible for outrageous conduct.
Because the defendants in mass tort litigation are usually large, powerful, wealthy corporations and because the lawsuits involve so many claims, the litigation of mass torts requires a great deal of financial backing. Through King & Nix’s network of lawyers, we are equipped to help our clients evaluate and identify potential mass tort claims and then to bring those claims.
To speak with an attorney at King & Nix and to obtain a free evaluation of whether your injury may give rise to a mass tort lawsuit or even already by the subject of such a lawsuit that has been brought by someone else and which you might join, contact an attorney at King & Nix by calling our toll-free number, (855) 335-8769, or by clicking here to complete a free case evaluation form.
