Mass Torts
Mass tort litigation involves multiple individuals who have been injured by the same product, drug, or corporate practice — but whose damages are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Unlike class actions, mass torts do not merge everyone’s claims into a single class; each injured person maintains an individual claim while benefitting from shared evidence and coordinated proceedings.
At JKH Law, we represent injured individuals — not classes — in mass-tort matters where corporations, manufacturers, or distributors have caused harm through defective products, unsafe drugs, environmental contamination, or systemic negligence.
What Are Mass Torts?
A “mass tort” is a civil action that arises when many people suffer similar injuries from a single source or event. These cases often involve dangerous consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or toxic exposures.
Courts sometimes consolidate these claims into a single venue for coordinated pretrial proceedings (known as multi-district litigation, or MDL), allowing efficiency in discovery and consistency in rulings. However, each client remains an individual plaintiff — entitled to their own evaluation, negotiation, and settlement decision.
Common Types of Mass-Tort Cases
JKH Law handles individual cases that may fall within broader national or regional mass-tort proceedings, including:
Defective or dangerous pharmaceuticals that cause unexpected side effects, organ damage, or long-term illness.
Medical devices or implants (such as surgical mesh, joint replacements, or pumps) that fail prematurely or cause infection or injury.
Toxic or chemical exposures, including environmental contamination, groundwater pollution, or industrial waste affecting nearby residents.
Consumer products or household goods recalled for fire hazards, contamination, or safety defects that cause injury.
Occupational exposures where workers are harmed by repeated contact with hazardous substances like asbestos, silica, or industrial solvents.
Transportation or infrastructure disasters involving a single event that injures many people but requires individualized claims.
Our Approach to Mass-Tort Representation
Every client’s circumstances, injuries, and damages are unique. JKH Law approaches each mass-tort case with the same individualized attention given to any serious personal-injury claim. We collaborate with national counsel and experts when appropriate, but maintain direct local representation for our clients in Michigan.
Our role often includes:
1. Evaluating potential claims related to ongoing national litigations.
2. Gathering medical, employment, and exposure documentation for individualized assessment.
3. Coordinating with co-counsel when appropriate to preserve efficiency while ensuring full client autonomy.
4. Advocating for fair compensation specific to each client’s injuries and losses.
Key Differences Between Mass Torts and Class Actions
Although both involve multiple injured parties, they operate very differently:
Mass Tort | Class Action |
|---|---|
Each plaintiff files an individual claim. | One or more “representative plaintiffs” pursue claims on behalf of the entire class. |
Damages are personalized to each individual’s injuries. | Damages are shared collectively among all class members. |
Plaintiffs retain individual control over settlement decisions. | Class members are generally bound by the outcome unless they opt out. |
Ideal when injuries vary in extent, timing, or causation. | Suitable when all members suffered essentially the same harm. |
At JKH Law, we focus on individual representation within mass-tort contexts, ensuring that every client’s story and recovery are handled on their own merits.
Compensation and Damages
Depending on the nature of the case, recoverable damages may include:
Why Choose JKH Law
Mass-tort litigation can be complex and national in scope, but Michigan residents deserve local representation that understands both the personal impact and the broader litigation landscape. JKH Law provides direct communication, careful documentation, and experienced coordination with national counsel when necessary — all while protecting your individual claim and autonomy. Our goal is simple: to hold negligent corporations accountable and obtain fair compensation for those they have harmed.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, unsafe drug, or toxic exposure, contact JKH Law for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We evaluate potential mass-tort claims on an individual basis, ensuring your case receives the focused attention it deserves.
JKH Law, PLC
312 Fulton Street East
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 226-3762 (office)
(616) 988-6504 (fax)
info@jkhlawfirm.com
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