The Most Important Mass Torts in 2017

Mass tort law is an aspect of personal injury law which involves cases with a large number of plaintiffs that share a common claim against a common group, company, or manufacturer. The most common types of personal injury mass torts involve pharmaceutical drugs, defective medical devices, and dangerous products. Mass tort claims make it infinitely easier for a law firm to help multiple clients at once and ensure action is taken to remove a defective or dangerous product from market.

Like many of the most complex types of civil lawsuits, mass torts can take years to fully settle. This is because most cases have strict deadlines that need to be followed. Also like most types of civil lawsuits, civil torts sometimes award settlements that offer both punitive and compensatory damages. These damages are rewarded to help victims recover as well as deter the defendant from repeating the same mistake.

Due to the stringent nature of most mass torts and the fact that most cases have strict deadlines, mass torts tend to follow “trends”. From the time a case is announced until the deadline for filing passes, that case may make news headlines and see media coverage. This ensures as many victims as possible find out about the tort and learn that they can potentially receive financial compensation if they seek out a lawyer that handles those types of cases.

In examining the mass torts trends from 2016, we can establish that mass tort law is becoming more popular than ever. More mass torts were filed in 2016 than any previous year. We can also establish which cases are among the most important mass torts in 2017. Here’s a list of just some of those cases:

Important Pharmaceutical Mass Torts in 2017

Pharmaceutical mass torts (often referred to as dangerous drug mass torts) are the most common type of mass tort by far. 1,329 pharmaceutical cases that were part of mass torts were filed in 2016.

Drug mass torts tend to be common due to the simple fact that many drugs are placed on the market without being tested for long term side effects. When a prescription drug starts causing harm to multiple individuals after they have been on it for a couple of years, mass torts are often the best way to ensure something is done to compensate those victims.

Some of the most common drug mass torts from 2016 and 2017 include:

• Reglan
• Risperdal
• Xarelto
• Invokana
• Eliquis
• Pradaxa
• Plavix

Important Medical Device Mass Torts in 2017

Mass torts are also common for medical devices that have been found defective or injury-inducing. Multiple injured victims tend to come forward after these cases are announced, so the mass torts program is ideal for bringing these claims to settlement and bringing victims peace of mind.

Some of the most common medical device mass tort examples from 2016 and 2017 include the following devices:

• Ethicon Physiomesh hernia mesh
• Bair Hugger warming blankets
• DePuy hip and knee replacements
• IVC filters
• Stockert 3T heater-cooler
• Pelvic/transvaginal mesh

Asbestos Mass Torts

Asbestos cases are becoming less common thanks to the fact that corporations and workers are more educated about the dangers of asbestos, but these cases still saw some action via mass torts in 2016.

If you or someone you love was harmed or has medically suffered due to any of the above drugs or products, it’s not too late to become involved and potentially receive financial compensation that can go towards recovery costs, loss of wage costs, and more. For more information, contact Bey & Associates. Our Atlanta product liability attorneys can help your family through a tough time.