Mass tort cases happen when one product or event hurts a lot of people. Here are some examples:

Asbestos lawsuits: Companies used asbestos in products, exposing many to this chemical that can cause serious illnesses. These illnesses included mesothelioma and lung cancer. Lawsuits targeted companies who mined or sold asbestos without warning the general public about its risks.

Tobacco lawsuits: Companies like Philip Morris were sued for hiding smoking risks. Smoking leads to diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease. These lawsuits aimed to hold the industry accountable for failing to warn of these risks.

Camp Lejeune water contamination: For decades, people at Camp Lejeune were exposed to toxic water. Chemicals like benzene caused serious health issues. Lawsuits have been filed against the U.S. government for this failure.

Vioxx lawsuits: Merck sold Vioxx without fully warning about its risks. Many suffered heart attacks or strokes after taking it. Lawsuits made Merck accountable for the harm.

These cases are called mass torts because many people are affected in similar ways by the same thing. Each person's case is treated separately, but they all belong to the same large lawsuit.

Mass tort cases help groups of people who were hurt in similar ways. Here are the five main types:

1. Dangerous Drugs: Some medicines hurt people even when taken as directed. These lawsuits help people who got sick from unsafe drugs.

Example: Claims against Pfizer for failing to warn users of Depo-Provera about serious risks, including bone loss and brain tumors like meningiomas.

2. Defective Medical Devices: Sometimes medical tools that should help people end up causing harm. We help hold the makers responsible.

Example: The Bard PowerPort, used to give medicine, has caused serious problems like infections and breakdowns.

3. Product Liability: When everyday products are made badly, they can hurt people. These cases help anyone hurt by faulty items.

Example: Some baby formulas (Similac and Enfamil) have made preemie babies very sick with a serious stomach injury called NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis).

4. Toxic Exposure: When people get sick from harmful chemicals in their surroundings, we help them fight back.

Example: A specific firefighting foam, AFFF Foam, used to fight fires has made many firefighters sick with cancer due to dangerous chemicals in it.

5. Premises Liability or Company Negligence: When businesses don't keep people safe on their property or make bad choices that hurt people, we step in to help.

Example: Hotel human trafficking lawsuits hold hotels responsible for turning a blind eye to trafficking activities on their properties. Victims argue that these businesses ignored warning signs and failed to protect them.

While these cases help many people at once, we know that each person's story is different. We treat every case with care and fight for what each person needs to get better.

When many people get hurt by the same thing, there are two main ways to handle their legal cases: mass torts and class actions. Here's how they're different:

In a mass tort, each person gets their own case. Your case focuses on your specific injuries and how you were personally hurt. When the case ends, you get your own outcome based on your situation.

In a class action, everyone joins one big case together. All claims are treated the same way because everyone shares the same basic problem. At the end, everyone gets the same type of result.

A mass tort is like everyone getting a custom-made suit. A class action is like everyone getting the same size suit from the store.

Both types of cases help people stand up to big companies. But, mass torts work better for serious, different injuries. Class actions work better for many people with the same, small problem.

A mass tort attorney is your guide and fighter when you've been hurt by unsafe products or medicines. Here's what we do for you:

First, we look at how you were hurt and gather proof. We collect your medical records, talk to doctors, and find experts who can explain how the dangerous product caused your injuries.

Next, we handle all the hard work of your case. We fill out the complex paperwork, talk to the other side's lawyers, and pay to hire experts. This lets you focus on getting better instead of worrying about legal matters.

We also join forces with other lawyers across the country who are fighting similar cases. This helps us build stronger evidence against big companies. We share what we learn about how the company's product hurt people, making each case stronger.

Most importantly, we fight to get you money for your medical bills, lost work time, pain & suffering, and more. We work hard to make sure the company pays for what they did wrong and helps you get back on your feet.

You don't have to pay us unless we win your case. This means everyone can get help, no matter how much money they have.

Mass tort cases take time because we're fighting for what you deserve. Here's what you should know about the timeline:

Getting justice from big companies isn't quick. These cases often take several years to finish because we need to prove exactly how their products hurt many people. It's like building a strong house - rushing the job only leads to problems.

When picking a law firm, make sure they'll keep you in the loop with case updates. Many firms take your case and then leave you in the dark for months. You deserve better than that. You should never have to chase down your lawyer to find out what's happening with your own case.

While your case moves forward, we keep you updated every step of the way. At Eric Cardenas LAW, PLLC, we believe you should always know what's happening with your case. When there's news about your case, you'll hear from us right away, not months later.

Think of us as your partner on this journey. We keep working hard on your case even when things seem quiet. Whether we're talking to experts, handling deadlines, gathering evidence, or fighting in court, we're always pushing to get you the best result possible.

The wait may feel long, but good things take time. What matters most is getting the right result - the money you need to take care of yourself and your family. While you focus on healing, we focus on winning your case.

Here's the good news: getting help from a mass tort lawyer won't cost you any money upfront. We know you're already dealing with medical bills and other expenses, so we make it easy to get legal help.

We only get paid if we win your case. This is called working on a "contingency fee," which means our payment depends on getting money for you first.

If we don't win your case, you don't owe us anything.

When we do win your case, we receive a percentage of the money we get for you. We'll explain this percentage clearly before we start working together - no hidden fees or surprise costs. This way, you know exactly what to expect.

This system means anyone can fight back against big companies that caused them harm. You don't need money in the bank to hire us. We take on all the costs of building your case - like paying for experts, gathering records, and filing court papers.

At Eric Cardenas LAW, PLLC, we believe everyone deserves strong legal help, no matter their financial situation. Your focus should be on getting better, not worrying about how to pay a lawyer.