When it comes to personal injury cases, there are a standard set of procedures to follow. Making sure you get a good settlement out of whoever caused your injury is the main aim. With regular steps to follow to get the settlement and a lawyer helping you get the most possible.
But, when it comes to mass tort claims, is everything the same? If you feel like you may be a victim of a mass tort situation, let’s discuss what you should do. Read on for all the advice from expert legal teams regarding mass tort cases and settlements.
Mass Tort Definition
Mass torts can relate to many of the similar types of situations that cause standard injury claims. However, as the Boston mass torts lawyers team over at https://www.sweeneymerrigan.com/boston-mass-torts-lawyer/ explain, a mass tort is when “numerous people are affected by the same dangerous product or behavior.” So, these cases are when many people have been injured or otherwise made sick, all by the fault of the same company or person. In these cases, the legal team will group all the victims together in an effort to streamline the case, gather stronger evidence, and get everyone a great settlement.
Types of Matt Tort Injuries
Obviously, mass torts require multiple victims. It is for this reason that lots of mass tort cases are based in the medical field. For example, poorly tested drugs or medical implants often affect lots of people at or around the same time. Otherwise, a large number of mass torts are taken out against employers who have consistently provided an unsafe work environment for a large number of employees. Cases like this can include hazardous materials or inappropriate safety measures.
When Should I Ask for a Settlement?
It’s not as simple as asking for a settlement. In fact, the process can be a little slower than an individual injury case as your legal team will gather evidence from the other 5, 10, or 100 people affected. But, the hope is that all this hard work and gathering of victims and witnesses will lead to a much stronger case and a much higher overall settlement value.
Seek Legal Advice
It is always essential to seek professional legal advice in this sort of situation. You should find an expert lawyer who specializes in the field of mass tort cases and personal injury law. You will be able to find a local lawyer who can give you a free-of-charge first consultation.
Your lawyer or legal team will then be able to start gathering evidence as well as reaching out to everyone else involved in the case. Other victims will have to meet with the legal team, too. At this point, they can begin building your case and holding regular meetings to update you on the progress of the case. If they think you have a strong case, most great law firms in this field won’t need money upfront, either. Instead, they will recover the costs of their work through the settlement or from the defendant, meaning you can be sure they’ll work as hard as they can to win the case.
Settlement or Court Case?
In the US, only around 5-10% of all personal injury cases make it to court to sit in front of a judge. Instead, most often, your legal team will spend a lot of time debating your case in private with the defendant’s lawyers. They will push for as much money as possible and await a settlement offer from the opposition legal team. At this point, your group will be able to decide whether you are happy to accept the settlement offer or not. If you cannot agree on a value outside of court, then the case will be taken to trial.
What Can Settlements Cover
Settlements cover all sorts of damages. In the first instance, they’ll cover all medical expenses and any other expenses you have had to deal with related to the case. Things such as travel missed work, and disability benefits will all be covered. You will also be able to claim for other one-off damages on a more personal level. This can cover mental health issues related to your case or give you a lump sum due to permanent physical damage such as scarring.
So, if you think you’re the victim of a case that could be a mass tort, it’s best to reach out to an expert team and take things from there. With any luck, you’ll be properly rewarded for having been put through such a horrible situation.
