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You may be part of a larger case. Schedule a consultation to find out if you qualify for a mass tort or class action claim.
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When corporate negligence harms thousands, you need attorneys who can take on the giants.
If you’ve been injured by a dangerous drug, defective product, or toxic exposure that has harmed many others, too, you’re facing more than just an individual injury case. You’re part of what’s known as a “mass tort” – a situation where a company’s negligence has hurt many people in similar ways.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, our North Carolina mass torts attorneys have the resources, experience, and determination to stand up to powerful corporations and fight for the compensation you deserve, even when facing the biggest companies in the world.
Your injury isn’t just a statistic. Your case deserves individual attention even when you’re one of thousands harmed by the same product or negligence.
A mass tort is a civil legal action involving many plaintiffs who have been harmed by the same product, drug, or corporate misconduct. Unlike class action lawsuits, each plaintiff in a mass tort maintains their own individual lawsuit while benefiting from shared resources and legal strategies.
Mass torts usually involve:
In North Carolina, these cases often involve dangerous prescription drugs, defective medical devices, toxic chemicals, or consumer products that cause unexpected harm.
While each victim has their own unique damages, the evidence about what the company knew, when they knew it, and how they failed to protect the public is shared across all cases.
At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, our North Carolina mass torts lawyers handle various types of mass tort litigation, including:
Pharmaceutical companies sometimes rush drugs to market without adequate testing or fail to warn about serious side effects. Our attorneys handle cases involving medications that cause unexpected injuries, such as:
Medical devices that fail or cause complications can lead to serious injuries or even death. We represent clients harmed by:
When companies release dangerous chemicals into the environment or workplace, entire communities can suffer serious health consequences. Our attorneys fight for victims of:
Products we use every day should be safe when used as directed. When they’re not, we hold manufacturers accountable for:
If you’ve been harmed by a dangerous drug, device, or product, you’re not alone. Our North Carolina mass tort lawyers are here to help you seek justice and compensation alongside others who’ve been affected.
Many people don’t realize their injury might be connected to a larger pattern of harm. Here are signs your injury might be part of a mass tort:
If the FDA has issued recent warnings or recalls about a drug or product you’ve used, your injury might be part of a developing mass tort case.
When you research your symptoms online and find many others reporting the same issues with the same product, it could indicate a widespread problem.
Television commercials, online ads, or social media posts from law firms seeking clients with specific injuries from particular products often signal an active mass tort litigation.
Sometimes doctors or nurses will mention that they’ve seen other patients with similar complications from the same drug or device.
Major news outlets reporting on investigations into product safety issues or corporate misconduct related to something you’ve used might indicate a mass tort situation.
If any of these signs sound familiar, your injury may be part of a larger case. Don’t wait—our North Carolina mass tort attorneys can help you determine if you have a claim and guide you through your next steps.
Mass tort cases follow a unique legal process:
Your attorney will gather your medical records, product usage history, and other evidence to determine if your case fits within the established mass tort criteria.
Most mass torts are consolidated in federal court through a process called “Multidistrict Litigation” (MDL). This means all similar cases nationwide are transferred to one federal judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings. Some cases may instead be consolidated in state courts.
After discovery is completed, a few representative cases (called “bellwether” cases) go to trial. These test cases help both sides understand how juries might value similar claims.
Based on bellwether results, defendants often negotiate global settlements to resolve all cases. Each plaintiff’s compensation is typically determined by factors specific to their case, such as the severity of injury and individual damages.
You retain the right to accept or reject any settlement offer. If no settlement is reached, your case may eventually return to a local court for trial.
Mass tort cases involve complex procedures and high stakes. Our North Carolina attorneys have the experience and insight to guide your case from start to finish.
Mass tort litigation offers several advantages for injured victims:
By combining resources with other victims, you gain leverage against powerful corporate defendants who might otherwise outspend individual plaintiffs.
The costs of expert witnesses, scientific testing, and document analysis are shared across many cases, making it economically feasible to build a strong case.
Mass tort consolidation helps ensure similar cases receive similar treatment, rather than wildly different outcomes in different courts.
The process is more efficient than thousands of separate lawsuits, allowing your case to move forward faster than it might otherwise.
Mass tort litigation levels the playing field, giving individuals the tools and support to hold large companies accountable. It’s a powerful way to seek justice when many have suffered similar harm.
A DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, we understand that behind every mass tort case is an individual whose life has been changed by corporate negligence. We’ll treat your case with the personal attention it deserves while leveraging the power of mass tort litigation to maximize your chances of success.
Don’t wait to seek justice – many mass tort cases have strict deadlines. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your potential claim.
Call or contact us online to speak with a dedicated North Carolina personal injury lawyer about your potential mass tort case.
Serving clients in Raleigh, Durham, Orange, Carteret, and Chatham Counties, and throughout North Carolina.
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While both involve multiple plaintiffs, in a mass tort, each plaintiff maintains their own individual lawsuit with specific damages. In a class action, all plaintiffs are treated as one unit with similar damages. Mass torts are typically used when injuries vary significantly between victims, requiring individual assessment of damages. Each mass tort plaintiff receives compensation based on their specific injuries, rather than an equal share of a settlement.
Mass tort cases generally take longer than individual personal injury cases due to their complexity. While some cases settle within 1-2 years, others may take 3-5 years or more to resolve. Factors affecting the timeline include the number of plaintiffs, the complexity of the science involved, the amount of evidence, and whether the case settles or goes through multiple trials. Your attorney can give you a more specific timeframe based on the particular mass tort.
Most mass tort plaintiffs never have to travel or appear in court. The consolidated proceedings typically happen in a federal court that may be in another state. Your attorney handles court appearances, and most of your participation can be handled through paperwork, phone calls, and perhaps a deposition in your local area. Only bellwether cases (test cases selected for trial) require significant plaintiff participation in court proceedings.