Mass torts, also called class actions, are actions brought in civil courts that may involve multiple plaintiffs against one or more defendants. Mass torts can be filed in either state or federal courts. Mass torts differ from conventional personal injury lawsuits in several ways. Mass torts involve a large number of claims against a single party, usually against a product manufacturer and usually regarding a particular item or product. Although a large number of plaintiffs may be involved in a mass tort action, the underlying facts and issues in their cases are basically the same.
Mass tort litigation usually involves defective medical devices or pharmaceuticals. Sometimes, consumer fraud is an element of the case. With mass tort litigation, each plaintiff retains his or her own individual lawsuit, even though hundreds or thousands of people may be represented. At the law firm of Kibbey Wagner, PLLC, an experienced mass torts attorney can explain more about product liability, mass torts, and two consumer products we are currently concerned with – talcum powder produced by Johnson & Johnson, and Xarelto, a blood thinner marketed in the United States by Janssen Pharmaceutical.
IS TALCUM POWDER DANGEROUS?
Talcum or “talc” is a soft mineral that Johnson & Johnson has been using in baby powder since the 1890s. In 1982, a study conducted by Dr. Daniel Cramer found a 92 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer with women who reported genital talc use. It was the first of many such studies. Despite substantial evidence of a link between talc use and cancer, Johnson & Johnson still refuses to warn on its talcum powder products that talcum use may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
One jury has already returned a $72 million-dollar verdict against Johnson & Johnson. If you or someone you love has used a Johnson & Johnson talcum powder product for more than ten years and has suffered from either ovarian cancer or fallopian tube cancer, contact a top mass torts attorney at Kibbey Wagner, PLLC immediately. Call us at 772-286-0023 to schedule a free and confidential legal consultation.
WHAT IS XARELTO?
Rivaroxaban, sold under the brand name Xarelto, is a blood thinner (or anticoagulant) prescribed to prevent blood clots. The mass torts attorneys at Kibbey Wagner, PLLC are reviewing claims on behalf of patients who used Xarelto and suffered serious bleeding events, strokes, and fatalities. While bleeding is common with anticoagulants, it is charged that Xarelto is more dangerous because there is no antidote to reverse its effects. Patients may be at risk for life-threatening internal and gastrointestinal bleeding. Xarelto has not been recalled. Studies are still pending, and the manufacturer still fails to warn doctors and patients adequately about Xarelto’s risks.
Mass torts secure the rights of consumers by impacting the bottom line of companies that put the public at risk. A class action or mass tort lawsuit raises the cost of cutting corners and doing business negligently. If you are injured using any pharmaceutical drug or medical device – and especially if you believe that you may have been injured using talcum powder or Xarelto – discuss your legal rights and options with a mass torts attorney at Kibbey Wagner, PLLC. Call us at 772-286-0023. If you’ve been injured by negligence, we are ready to act on your behalf.
