In mass tort lawsuits, many consumers injured by the same defective product, defective medical device, dangerous drugs, or environmental exposure will be represented by mass tort attorneys in individual cases. While it is easy to mistake a mass tort lawsuit for a class action, there are key differences that benefit the consumer. Mainly, a class action uses a small number of people to represent all the injured people in one lawsuit, so class actions generally result in minimal compensation for victims.
Common types of mass tort cases
A mass tort can begin for many reasons, but there are a few common types. One of these is defective products.
Manufacturers have a responsibility to offer safe products and provide their customers with all of the information they need to use the products correctly. Failing to do this on a large scale can result in injuries for many people — resulting in a mass tort case.
Large-scale catastrophes often lead to mass tort cases as well. These can include mass fires within an apartment complex, manufacturing plant explosions, and so much more. In these types of mass torts, individuals may have suffered diverse injuries, but the same entity is at fault.
Mass tort cases could also deal with defective drugs or medical devices. Manufacturers might be liable if they did not adequately warn consumers about a drug that could cause a dangerous side effect or a defective medical device that could lead to injuries.