Oregon Mass Tort Lawyer

Mass torts are cases involving numerous individuals or multiple groups that have all been harmed by another party’s act or omission. Many of these cases arise from acts of negligence or reckless and/or malicious acts, and many have lasting effects on those affected. If you have been harmed by a company’s actions, you may be eligible to participate as a plaintiff in a mass tort. An Oregon mass tort lawyer is an essential asset in this situation.

At Bliven Law Firm, P.C., we provide compassionate and responsive legal representation to those harmed by the intentional and negligent acts of others. We aim to help each client maximize their recovery, fighting on their behalf for the compensation they need to recover as much as possible. Our team is confident in our ability to successfully resolve the most challenging mass torts for clients throughout Oregon.

We can review the details of your case and explain what you can expect in mass tort litigation. These cases are inherently challenging due to the number of plaintiffs they usually involve. Mass torts also account for about 50% of all civil cases throughout the United States, most of which are product liability cases.

Our firm can explain how this type of case will differ from a standard individual civil case or a class action. Many people understandably conflate mass torts with class actions, but these are very different types of cases. Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can help you make informed decisions about your legal options and guide you through the difficult proceedings ahead of you.

Understanding Mass Torts

A standard tort is a civil case that may involve individuals, companies, or other entities that harm others through some type of negligence or intentional wrongdoing. These acts may result in physical injuries, illness, property damage, pain and suffering, and various other financial losses. Generally, the party responsible for harming another party is called the tortfeasor and will be liable for the effects of their negligence or misconduct.

A mass tort is a civil case that applies to a much broader scale. For example, a company may have dumped toxic substances into a specific area, contaminating the groundwater. If their contamination begins causing adverse health effects among the local population, those affected would all have grounds for legal recourse against the company in a mass tort.

A mass tort case is defined by the number of victims, how close in proximity those victims are to one another, the similarities between their injuries, and whether their claims all share a common cause, such as a single event or specific product. These cases are inherently complex due to the number of plaintiffs involved, and it can take time to gather all of the foundational evidence necessary to bring a successful mass tort case.

An Oregon mass tort lawyer at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., can be an essential resource if you believe you have grounds to participate in a mass tort. Our firm can conduct extensive research to gather records and documentation, coordinate our efforts with other legal professionals if necessary, and help our clients accurately calculate the total damages they may be able to recover.

Commonly Filed Mass Torts

Mass torts affect large groups of people and can arise from many types of negligence or wrongdoing, usually committed by a large corporate entity. The most commonly filed mass torts in the United States include:

• Consumer product liability claims. It’s possible for an individual to sue a company for any harm the individual suffered because of contaminated, defective, or unreasonably dangerous products. The largest mass tort in United States history is a product liability claim filed against 3M for faulty earplugs.
• Environmental torts. Many of these cases involve corporate entities that have knowingly or negligently damaged the environment, causing extensive harm to people within large areas. Toxic waste dumping, oil leaks, and other industrial practices can potentially contaminate air, land, and water systems over large regions and affect hundreds or even thousands of people.
• Pharmaceutical product torts. If a pharmaceutical company fails or neglects to follow regulatory requirements, clinical testing requirements, or other safety systems, the products resulting from these acts can be extremely harmful. In some cases, adverse effects are not discovered for many years, and by that time, thousands of victims may have been negatively affected.

In many mass torts, plaintiffs can not only secure compensation for the damages they suffered but also additional compensation in the form of punitive damages that the defendant has been ordered to pay. Defendants who have broken the law or failed to comply with applicable industry regulations can face fines and additional penalties from oversight agencies. These cases also often compel defendants to make specific changes to how they conduct business.

Mass Torts Versus Class Action Lawsuits

Mass torts can potentially devastate entire communities, sometimes for years or even decades, and the total impact can be incalculable over multiple generates. In class action lawsuits, individuals band together in classes and evenly divide the proceeds of successful legal action. In a mass tort, each individual can make a claim and can recover compensation for their specific damages. Mass tort damages are awarded to each individual based on their specific circumstances.

Success with a mass tort case will require proving liability for damages on a very large scale compared to an individual civil case. All plaintiffs in a mass tort action will need to prove negligence and establish the defendant’s liability for their damages. This means proving the full scope of damages and showing that the defendant is solely responsible for causing them.

Building a Mass Tort Case in Oregon

Mass torts can be brought against a single entity by a group of individuals or multiple groups, and damages are awarded to each individual plaintiff. Calculating the damages owed to each individual plaintiff can be a challenging and time-consuming process, so it is crucial that your case is as clear as possible and that you can identify quantifiable losses you suffered due to the defendant’s actions.

Damages you may be able to recover from your successful participation as a plaintiff in a mass tort action can include the economic and non-economic damages you suffered because of the defendant’s actions:

• If you have been physically harmed by the defendant’s actions, you will likely be eligible to claim compensation for any medical expenses resulting from the injury. This includes the cost of any future medical treatment you may need for a severe injury, such as future surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, chemotherapy, or similar treatment.
• When a plaintiff is unable to work due to the harm the defendant caused, they are eligible to claim compensation for their lost income. Additionally, if they are unable to return to work in the future due to their condition, they can also seek compensation for their lost earning capacity.
• Plaintiffs are often able to recover their legal expenses, transportation costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to their cases from defendants.
• It’s possible for a plaintiff to receive compensation for their pain and suffering. The amount they receive will typically depend on the overall severity of the damages they suffered, whether they face any long-term or permanent effects, and other factors. Your attorney can help you maximize this aspect of your recovery.

Success with a mass tort hinges on the plaintiffs’ ability to gather evidence and accurate documentation that supports their case. Depending on the nature of the mass tort and the number of plaintiffs participating in the action, this part of the process can be extremely complicated and must be handled by seasoned attorneys.

Find Your Oregon Mass Tort Lawyer Now

Bliven Law Firm, P.C., has proven experience representing clients in complex mass torts in Oregon, and we are ready to apply this experience to your case. Many individuals harmed by corporate negligence and willful misconduct have had their lives upended by these acts, and most will not know how to navigate their legal proceedings effectively without experienced representation on their side.

Our team can provide focused and responsive legal counsel through every stage of your proceedings. Trust us to gather the evidence and documentation you will need to not only prove liability for your damages but also to show the true extent of your damages. Our goal for every client we represent is to help them secure maximum compensation for their losses as efficiently as possible.

Hiring an Oregon mass tort lawyer to represent you will not only increase your chance of success with the case but also increase your chances of maximizing the total compensation you obtain. Our firm can coordinate expert witness testimony in support of your case, accurately determine the full scope of damages you are eligible to claim, and provide regular updates as your case unfolds.

If you are unsure how to proceed with your case, we can help. The thought of confronting a large corporation seeking compensation for your damages may be daunting, but with our help, you can feel more confident about your situation. Contact Bliven Law Firm, P.C., today to schedule your free initial case review with an experienced Oregon mass tort lawyer and learn how we can assist with your recovery.