Mass torts are legal actions that allow a large number of plaintiffs, who have been harmed in similar ways by the same product or action, to sue one or a few defendants in a state or federal court.
This blog post offers an overview of mass tort cases, highlighting five notable examples to understand the complexities and outcomes involved in such lawsuits.
What is Mass Tort Litigation?
A mass tort litigation is a multi-party lawsuit based on a massive accident, such as an airplane crash or a cholera outbreak, or widespread personal injuries caused by faulty products, such as harmful medical devices or pharmaceutical drugs.
A Pioneering Case: Agent Orange
One of the landmark mass tort litigation in the United States was the Agent Orange case. Thousands of veterans exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War were awarded compensation for the resulting health problems – a monumental victory that set a precedent in mass tort law.
The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
The tobacco mass tort is one of the largest and most influential cases in history. The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached in 1998 had four major tobacco companies agree to pay over $206 billion to 46 states in the U.S. to compensate for tobacco-related health care costs.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure led to one of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history, with lawsuits still being filed today. Many victims developed severe health issues like mesothelioma, leading asbestos companies to pay substantial damages.
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Incident
The 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in one of the largest environmental lawsuits. BP pled guilty to several charges and agreed to pay $4.5 billion in fines and other payments.
Vioxx and the Pharmaceutical Industry
Vioxx, a painkiller linked to heart attacks and strokes, led to a mass tort against Merck & Co., the drug’s manufacturer. In 2007, the company agreed to pay $4.85 billion to settle most of the pending lawsuits.
Mass tort lawsuits hold big businesses accountable for their actions, ensuring they do not escape the consequences of their negligence or recklessness. While mass torts can be long and challenging, their impact is significant in providing justice to victims of various forms of harm.
