Mass Tort Lawsuits

Mass tort lawsuits are complex cases involving multiple plaintiffs who have been injured by a single product or event, such as a defective drug or product or a major environmental accident. The victims in these cases typically seek compensation from the responsible party, which may be a company, an individual, or a government agency.

Mass tort lawsuits can involve thousands of potential plaintiffs. The benefit of this option is that these injured parties will pool their resources when investigating and proving their case instead of having to do so individually. If a party is found to be responsible for the harm caused, however, claims for damages are handled separately.

Mass tort lawsuits can be filed for any type of negligence that results in a person’s injury. Some types of mass tort cases are more common than others. Some of the most common types of mass tort cases we handle on behalf of clients include defective products, defective medical devices, and dangerous drugs.

Current National Mass Tort Lawsuits

Powell & Majestro is currently investigating and filing lawsuits relating to the following mass tort litigations.

PFAS

Individuals who have been exposed to PFAS chemicals and subsequently diagnosed with PFAS-related health conditions.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), are  per-and polyfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) used to create many nonstick, stain resistant, and waterproof products.  They are also used in the manufacturing of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a water-based firefighting agent used to control and extinguish Class B fuel fires.  PFAS chemicals are frequently referred to as “forever chemicals.”  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared PFOA and PFOS as hazardous.

The United Nations Human Rights Council stated that DuPont and Chemours have produced and profited from PFAS for decades, leading to global contamination.

The manufacturers knew or should have known that these toxic chemicals would contaminate the environment and create a public health hazard. Cities, towns, and neighborhoods surrounding locations where AFFF was utilized have reported contaminated groundwater and soil in their communities. Studies have linked these chemicals to a variety of adverse health effects, including various cancers (kidney and testicular), ulcerative colitis, and hypothyroidism.

A federal MDL has been created to facilitate this complex litigation. In Re Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Prod. Liab. Litig., D.S.C., No. 2:18-mn-02873). The litigation was initially focused on governmental entities and the improvement of testing and infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water, however, the focus has shifted to personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Powell & Majestro is currently investigating PFAS lawsuits for individuals who have been exposed to PFAS chemicals and subsequently diagnosed with a PFAS-related health condition.

Social Media

Throughout the country, there are families who have been impacted by social media addiction among young users. The Defendants targeted children as a core market – they designed, engineered, marketed, and operated their products to maximize the number of children who download and use them compulsively. This exploitation has become central to their profitability while creating a youth mental health crisis.

More and more users are filing lawsuits to seek justice and recover compensation for the harm they have suffered due to the negligence of these social media platforms. Excessive amounts of social media exposure among children have led to various forms of harm, including: cyberbullying, fear of missing out, comparisons, and self-harm and suicide.

Our firm is committed to ensuring that the victims of social media addiction get full and fair compensation for damages like medical treatment, psychological care, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more.

A federal MDL has been created to facilitate this complex litigation against social media companies, including Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, Snap, and YouTube. In Re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation, Case No., MDL No. 3047, Northern District of California.

Time Limits for Filing a Mass Tort Cases

Anyone injured due to a defective product or dangerous drug will have to comply with state laws to timely file their case. In West Virginia, injured parties have two years from the date they learned of the defect to take action.

Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C. represents clients in West Virginia and throughout the country. If injured in a state other than West Virginia, different laws may apply, potentially including a shorter statute of limitation for filing suit. Consulting an attorney as early as possible is critical to avoid missing your opportunity to be compensated.

Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C. Fights for Fair Damages in Mass Tort Cases

Since 2002, the personal injury attorneys at Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C. have been fighting on behalf of injury victims throughout West Virginia and the rest of the country. Our firm has an intimate understanding of this state’s mass tort rules and procedures and takes pride in its strong advocacy on behalf of clients who have suffered physically, emotionally, and financially due to the negligence of big business.

We understand that not every law firm has the resources or background to take on mass tort clients. Many of our clients come to us from professional referrals. Whether you are an attorney who would like to make a referral or an individual who has been seriously hurt, contact our office so we can learn more about the situation and determine how we can help.

Please call (800) 650-2889 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation in our Charleston offices. Video consultations are available for individuals who reside outside of Charleston.