While mass torts and class actions are similar, they do have some differences. Mass tort cases involve many individuals who are harmed by the same entity. Each case is treated individually.
Class action lawsuits consolidate similar claims from a group into one single lawsuit against a single defendant. Both are tools for pursuing justice and gaining compensation collectively.
Florida is no stranger to both mass tort and class action lawsuits. Here are just three that you should know about if you live in Florida.
1. The Pensacola Contamination Lawsuit
In February 2023, it was reported that a toxic group of chemicals had been detected on military bases in and around Pensacola, Florida. The main contaminant is AFFF foam, which is used for firefighting.
When PFAS chemicals like AFFF contaminate water supplies, people in the vicinity can be exposed to high levels of contamination, which can lead to serious health problems, such as organ damage and cancer.
Like the famous Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit, which involved the water contamination of another military base, there have now been numerous liability lawsuits filed against AFFF manufacturers, accusing them of negligence.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for physical injuries, mental health harm, and financial losses.
If you live or lived in or around Pensacola and have developed a health condition like cancer, you should speak to a lawyer to learn more about whether the contamination could have caused your condition and what steps to take.
In fact, you should keep up with all the latest legal news regarding mass torts and class action cases in your local area, as you or a loved one could potentially be directly affected.
2. PFAS Lawsuits
Continuing on the subject of PFAS chemicals, the substances have been used in a wide range of products since the 1940s, such as non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics. However, these chemicals, which are now termed “forever chemicals” do not readily degrade in either the environment or the body of a human being.
As a result, forever chemicals can cause developmental delays in children and increase the risk of cancer. PFAS exposure can also adversely affect one’s liver, thyroid function, and immune system.
Therefore, many individuals with health conditions caused by chemicals have been filing lawsuits against companies and government entities for their negligence and lack of transparency concerning PFAS contamination.
The test trial for the lawsuits occurred in Stuart, Florida. An out-of-court settlement was reached by the plaintiffs and the company 3M. A settlement of between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion will be paid out over a period of thirteen years.
If you have developed a serious health condition as a result of PFAS exposure, you still have the opportunity to join a mass tort or class action lawsuit to pursue compensation.
3. The Ozempic Stomach Paralysis Lawsuit
Wegovy and Ozempic have been widely used prescription drugs for weight management and Type II diabetes. However, it has now been discovered that the products have been linked to the severe gastrointestinal disorder gastroparesis.
Seeing as the company behind the products, Novo Nordisk, failed to disclose the potential risks to consumers, many people who were prescribed Wegovy or Ozempic and subsequently developed stomach paralysis are now filing lawsuits against Novo Nordisk.
If you have developed the health condition yourself after taking Wegovy or Ozempic, you should file a lawsuit as soon as possible in order to satisfy the statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits in your local state.
In Florida the statute of limitations for a product liability lawsuit is two years, beginning on the date of your health condition’s diagnosis.
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