Connecticut Mass Tort Attorney

If you were injured after taking a defective pharmaceutical medication (including developing cancer after taking Zantac or suffered complications after receiving a faulty medical device, fell ill after being exposed to environmental contamination or toxic substances, or were otherwise affected by widespread harm resulting from another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct, reach out to our firm today to learn how we can help. You deserve justice, and we are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

At RisCassi & Davis, P.C., we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, which allows us to stay one step ahead. We offer all of our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe any attorneys’ fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Mass Torts vs. Class Actions: What Is the Difference?

Mass torts are often confused with class action lawsuits, as both types of legal action involve multiple parties filing a claim against a single defendant. In fact, class actions are a type of mass tort. However, there are several key differences between the two types of legal actions you should be aware of.

The main differences between mass torts and class action lawsuits are:

• How Plaintiffs Are Viewed: In a class action lawsuit, the affected parties file a single lawsuit against the defendant based on common questions of fact. As such, all plaintiffs are viewed as a single entity, called the “class", and are represented by a class representative. In mass torts, plaintiffs are viewed as individual entities who have suffered similar but separate damages.
• How Claims Are Filed: With a class action lawsuit, the class representative files a single claim against the defendant. In contrast, each plaintiff involved in a mass tort action can file a claim against the defendant outlining their distinct damages.
• If a Plaintiff Can Go to Trial: Because class action lawsuits involve a single claim, members of the class cannot go to trial if the case does or doesn’t settle, regardless of whether the individual member is satisfied with the outcome. With a mass tort, however, individual plaintiffs have the option of going to trial if the case does not settle.
• How Damages Are Awarded: Arguably the most important difference between class action lawsuits and mass torts is how damages are awarded. In a successful class action lawsuit, a single settlement or verdict is shared among all members of the class. In a mass tort action, however, each individual plaintiff receives compensation for their individual damages. This is important, as most mass torts involve similar harm that affects plaintiffs in unique ways, such as a defective medical device that leads to varying degrees of injury or toxic exposure that causes different types of illnesses.

Call (860) 245-2412 or contact us online to get started with a free case evaluation.