Richmond Mass Tort Lawyers

Richmond Mass Tort Lawyers

Richmond Mass Tort Lawyers

If you or someone you love suffered harm from a defective product or negligent party, you can typically recover compensation by filing a lawsuit against those responsible. But when you are one of several people who suffered harm from the same party’s actions, you may have the option to bring or join a mass tort action instead.

Mass tort cases can be extremely large and complicated. At Allen & Allen, we understand how trying it can be to seek justice when you are harmed by the actions of a large corporation. Our Richmond mass tort attorneys can take the burden off you. When you hire our law firm to handle your claim, your fight becomes our fight. We are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you get the justice you deserve.

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Richmond Mass Tort Guide

Why Choose Allen & Allen?

Throughout our 110-plus-year history, the lawyers and legal support team at Allen & Allen have proudly and compassionately represented individuals harmed by the wrongdoing of others. We understand that going up against a big company or corporation can feel hopeless, but it’s what we do best. Our attorneys have handled many complex and devastating mass tort cases, and have recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Allen & Allen is a family firm built on compassionate service, and we are committed to our legacy of protecting our clients throughout their recovery and fighting for fair treatment and compensation. Contact us today to discuss your case and legal options for financial recovery.

How Much Does a Mass Tort Lawyer Cost in Richmond?

When you or a loved one has been harmed by a dangerous product and you are considering taking legal action, one of the first questions you may ask is whether you can afford an attorney to handle your case. At Allen & Allen, we operate under a contingency fee arrangement. You pay no upfront costs. Our fee comes out of the compensation we recover for you. We can discuss how this arrangement works during a free initial consultation about your case.

If you trust us with your case, we will work to get you maximum compensation. As personal injury lawyers, we understand the rights of injured victims and all the types of compensation you may be eligible to recover compensation for. We will fight on your behalf to ensure you get the financial recovery you deserve.

Research by the Insurance Research Council shows that people who hire lawyers to handle their claims recover significantly more compensation—as much as 40% more—than those who handle their claim without legal support. Even with legal fees, you will recover more compensation than if you’d handled your case on your own.

What is a Mass Tort?

A tort is a legal term that refers to a wrongful act or an injury caused by one person to another. It’s like when someone does something that harms you or your property, and you have the right to seek compensation for the harm they caused. This could be something like a car accident, medical malpractice, or even someone intentionally harming you.

A mass tort is a bit different. It’s when many people are harmed by the same action, product, or company. Instead of each person filing a separate lawsuit, these cases are grouped together because they have similar claims. For example, if a medication causes harmful side effects for many people, they might all file a mass tort lawsuit against the drug company.

Some common examples of mass tort cases include:

  • Product Liability: When a defective product, such as a medical device, pharmaceutical drug, or consumer product, causes harm to numerous users.
  • Environmental Contamination: When pollution or toxic substances released by a company or entity lead to health problems or property damage for a large group of people in a specific area.
  • Workplace Hazards: When employees of a company are exposed to dangerous conditions, chemicals, or substances that cause injuries or illnesses.
  • Mass Accidents: Such as plane crashes, train derailments, or large-scale accidents in which many individuals are injured or killed.

Mass Tort Cases We Handle

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The mass tort attorneys at Allen & Allen represent clients many mass tort claims, including:

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Service members, their family members, and civilians who worked or lived at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 may have been exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals in the drinking water on base. Those who suffered deadly cancers and debilitating illnesses due to exposure may be eligible to recover compensation through a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Ozempic Side Effects

The diabetes drug Ozempic, and its higher-dose version Wegovy, have become the latest weight loss phenomena, thanks to endorsements from Hollywood celebrities. But there has been a steep price to pay for some users — stomach paralysis and gallbladder problems, to name a few. Now consumers are fighting back by filing lawsuits against the manufacturer.

Sleep Apnea Machine Recall

In April 2001, Philips Respironics recalled millions of ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP breathing machines due to a defect with the sound abatement foam in the products. Consumers who used these defective products have developed asthma, chronic respiratory illness, lung cancer, and other diseases. Many are suing Philips seeking justice and compensation for the harm the company caused them.

Hair Relaxers and Cancer

New studies link chemical hair relaxers and straighteners used primarily by Black women to an increased risk of uterine cancer. Coincidentally, this population of women is at greater risk of dying from this dreadful disease. Many of those harmed are seeking to hold the manufacturers of these products accountable through hair relaxer lawsuits.

What Is a Multidistrict Litigation?

What Is a Multidistrict Litigation

When a lot of people from different places file lawsuits because they were harmed by the same thing, like a product or a company’s actions, all those lawsuits might be grouped together and moved to one federal court. This big bundle of related lawsuits is called a multidistrict litigation, or MDL.

MDLs are created by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a special body within the U.S. federal court system, to save time and make things more efficient.

MDLs help with things like sharing evidence and avoiding contradictory decisions. It doesn’t decide who’s right or wrong, but it manages the process to make it smoother when many people have similar complaints.

How Are MDLs Resolved?

Multidistrict litigations typically resolve in one of the following ways:

  • Settlement: Often, the parties involved (plaintiffs and defendants) reach an agreement to settle the cases. This means they come to a compromise or agreement on how much compensation or action is fair, and the cases are resolved without a trial.
  • Bellwether Trials: A few representative cases go to trial. The outcomes of these trials can influence the resolution of other similar cases. If one side wins or loses in these bellwether trials, it may lead to more settlements or affect how other cases are handled.
  • Individual Trials: Some cases in an MDL may still go to trial individually, especially if they are unique or can’t be resolved through a settlement.
  • Dismissal: The court may decide that some cases don’t have enough evidence or legal merit to continue, and they are dismissed.
  • Global Resolution: Sometimes, the parties involved work together to create a global resolution plan that outlines how all the cases in the MDL will be handled.

The goal is to resolve the cases in a way that’s fair and efficient, whether through settlements, trials, or other methods, while taking into account the individual circumstances of each case.

What Is a Bellwether Trial?

A bellwether trial is like a test or sample trial. It’s used in big lawsuits where there are many similar cases, often in mass torts. In a bellwether trial, a few cases are chosen as representatives of the larger group. They’re the first ones to go to court.

The outcome of these trials can help everyone involved figure out how strong their claims are and what kind of compensation might be fair. Essentially, bellwether trials are like a way to test the waters and see how things might go for the other cases. They provide a sense of what to expect and can often lead to settlements or decisions that affect many other cases with similar issues.

How Can a Mass Tort Lawyer Help with My Case?

A mass tort lawyer can help you in several ways if you’ve been harmed by a product, drug, or other situation that has led to a mass tort. Here’s how a Richmond mass tort lawyer from Allen & Allen can assist you:

Legal Advice

Our mass tort lawyers are experienced in handling complex cases with many plaintiffs. We have the legal knowledge and experience to navigate the intricacies of these cases.

Case Evaluation

Your lawyer can evaluate the strength of your case. We’ll consider factors like the severity of your injuries, the evidence available, and the legal issues involved to determine whether you have a valid claim.

Gathering Evidence

Your lawyer can help collect and preserve evidence to support your case. This may include medical records, expert testimonies, and other documentation.

Negotiating Settlements

Our mass tort lawyers are skilled negotiators. We can engage with the defendant (the party you’re suing) or their insurance company to seek a fair settlement on your behalf, potentially avoiding the need for a trial.

Litigation

If a settlement isn’t possible or in your best interest, your lawyer will represent you in court. We’ll present your case, argue your legal points, and advocate for your rights during the trial.

Managing the Administrative Process

In some cases, you may need to follow a specific administrative process for handling mass tort claims. Your lawyer can manage the administrative details and properly file and process your claim.

MDL Participation

If your case is part of a multi-district litigation, your lawyer will ensure your interests are represented and that you’re part of the best strategy for resolving the case.

Explaining Your Rights

Your mass tort lawyer can educate you on your legal rights and options. We’ll help you understand the potential outcomes and the best course of action for your specific situation.

Providing Support

Going through a mass tort can be emotionally and legally challenging. We can provide guidance and support throughout the process, answering your questions and keeping you informed.

Maximizing Compensation

Ultimately, our goal as your legal representative is to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

Contact a Richmond Mass Tort Lawyer at Allen & Allen Today

Mass Tort Attorney, Kari La Fratta

Kari La Fratta, Richmond Mass Tort Attorney

At Allen & Allen, we understand that facing harm due to a dangerous product, negligent corporation, or environmental disaster can be an overwhelming and life-altering experience.

Let our Richmond mass tort attorneys be your voice in the pursuit of justice and accountability. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Richmond today at (866) 552-5683 for your free consultation, and let’s work together to make a difference in your life and the lives of those affected by mass tort incidents.

Our Richmond office

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen

1809 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, VA 23230