Naperville Mass Tort Lawyers
Did an irresponsible manufacturer cause your injuries? Don’t go up against large corporations alone. Our experienced Naperville mass tort lawyers can help you fight for a fair settlement.
At Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, our team cares about the outcome of your case. When you retain us, you get:
- A FREE, no obligation case review
- More than 50 years of experience
- A legal team that treats you like more than a case number
- No legal fees unless we win you a settlement
$2,500,000
Defective Hoist Mechanism Injury
$600,000
Defective Hip Implant
$210,000
Product Liability
Table of Contents
ToggleWhy Are Mass Torts Filed?
Mass torts are filed to address situations where numerous individuals suffer harm due to the actions or products of a single defendant or a group of defendants. These cases arise from widespread harm caused by defective products, pharmaceuticals, environmental disasters, consumer fraud, or large-scale accidents. Filing mass torts serves several purposes:
Collective Legal Action
By consolidating individual claims into a single legal action, mass torts allow plaintiffs to pool resources, share evidence, and streamline the legal process. This collective approach makes it feasible to take on powerful corporations or entities that might be too daunting for individuals to challenge alone.
Efficient Legal Resolution
Mass torts promote efficiency in the legal system by handling similar claims simultaneously. This can expedite the resolution process, reduce court congestion, and lower litigation costs for all parties involved.
Consistent Judgments
Filing a mass tort ensures similar cases are treated consistently, helping to standardize settlements or verdicts. This consistency benefits plaintiffs by ensuring fair compensation and deters defendants from engaging in harmful practices.
Enhanced Negotiation Power
Mass torts give plaintiffs greater leverage in negotiations with defendants. The threat of a large-scale, coordinated legal action can incentivize defendants to settle cases more favorably and promptly for the affected individuals.
Overall, mass torts are a crucial mechanism for achieving justice, accountability, and compensation for widespread harm caused by corporate negligence or misconduct.
Client Testimonials
Thank-you for handling my case with care. I appreciate being kept in the loop about everything throughout the entire process. I never had to call to get updates, you guys always contacted me. Thanks for your service and have a great day.
“The team at Chute O’Malley, Knobloch and Turcy was phenomenal. They kept me well-informed about my case and explained in detail the various situations and procedures of a personal injury lawsuit. I worked with Thomas Chute and Phil Turcy. They both were great in the handling of my case and were able to get a superb settlement for me. I highly recommend the firm and its professional team. They are knowledgeable and well-educated in handling any case. I can’t thank them enough.”
Tom Grace was excellent with keeping me updated on the case all the way to the end. Tom Grace made sure that I got most out of my case. After waiting for two long years for the case to settle. Thanks Tom Grace.
How Do Mass Torts Work?
Mass torts are a legal action where numerous plaintiffs bring similar claims against one or a few defendants, typically involving defective products, pharmaceuticals, environmental disasters, or large-scale accidents. These cases can vary, but generally take the following path:
Case Consolidation
Individual lawsuits with common issues are consolidated into a single action. This process begins with the identification of numerous claims sharing similar factual and legal questions, as well as a common liable party. The courts may then designate these cases as a mass tort and centralize them for more efficient handling.
Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
To streamline the process, cases from different jurisdictions may be transferred to a single federal court under Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). This centralization helps manage pretrial proceedings, such as discovery and motions, efficiently. An MDL judge oversees these processes and ensures consistency in rulings.
Discovery and Evidence Sharing
In mass torts, discovery involves extensive gathering and sharing of evidence among all parties. This phase includes collecting documents, taking depositions, and consulting experts to build a robust case. Sharing evidence reduces redundancy and helps plaintiffs present a united front.
Bellwether Trials
Representative cases, known as bellwether trials, are selected for trial to gauge the potential outcomes of the broader litigation. These trials help both sides understand the strengths and weaknesses of their cases and often encourage settlement negotiations.
Settlement or Trial
Mass torts often lead to settlements, where defendants agree to compensate plaintiffs without further litigation. If settlements are not reached, cases proceed to trial. Each plaintiff’s claim is individually assessed for damages, despite the collective nature of the mass tort.
Compensation Distribution
In the event of a settlement or favorable trial verdict, the compensation award is distributed among the plaintiffs based on the severity of their injuries and losses. Special masters or claims administrators may be appointed to ensure fair distribution.
Mass torts effectively manage numerous similar claims, promoting justice and efficiency in addressing widespread harm.
What Types of Cases Qualify for a Mass Tort?
Mass torts involve cases where numerous individuals suffer harm due to the actions or products of a common defendant. Common types of cases that qualify for mass torts include:
- Defective Products
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
- Environmental Disasters
- Consumer Fraud
- Large-scale Accidents
These cases are united by common issues of fact and law, making them suitable for collective legal action to ensure efficient and fair resolution for all affected parties.
- Call (312) 775-0042.