Skip to content

Helmsing Leach is a distinguished mass tort law firm based in Mobile, Alabama, renowned for its proficiency in handling complex legal cases, including mass tort claims and class action lawsuits. With a legacy of excellence spanning decades, our firm has established itself as a trusted ally for clients seeking resolution in multifaceted legal matters.

Schedule a Consultation

What are mass tort, multi-district, and class action cases?

Mass tort, multi-district, and class action litigations refer to legal actions where multiple plaintiffs collectively sue one or more defendants.

A mass tort is a type of injury resulting from an act that affects hundreds or even thousands of people. In a mass tort case, individuals are treated as separate and entitled to individual compensation. 

Multi-district litigation (MDL) encompasses multiple lawsuits filed in multiple locations, which are then consolidated federally to streamline discovery and the pretrial process before one judge. These lawsuits are then sent back to the individual courts for trial, and each case may not have the same outcome.

Class actions involve many claims asserted against the same defendant(s), but the claims are tried in one case in which a few individuals represent the entire “class” who allege they have sustained the same or similar injury. The ruling then applies to the whole “class”—even those who are not represented by an attorney.

Seasoned Mass Tort and Class Action Attorneys in Alabama

Over the past two decades, Helmsing Leach’s mass tort defense and multidistrict litigation attorneys have served as national, trial team, science team, regional or State of Alabama counsel for defendants in more than 25 separate mass tort or multi-district litigations (MDLs) involving pharmaceutical products, medical devices, chemicals, industrial equipment, and other products. 

Our firm has also acted as lead defense counsel and as State of Alabama counsel in substantial class actions involving both nationwide and regional/state classes. Our class action experience includes not only claims related to an event causing widespread personal injuries or damages but also actions based on business and commercial transactions across several industries.

Success Stories

We have helped our clients obtain favorable or acceptable dispositions in more than 2,500 individual plaintiff cases and 30,000 unfiled claims.

  • Served as co-national counsel for a leading pharmaceutical company in hormone therapy MDL.
  • Served as Alabama counsel for the international hip manufacturer in litigation involving metal-on-metal hip prostheses.
  • Represented oil services contractor and cement provider in more than 30 class actions filed in Alabama arising out of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
  • Served on the trial team for a major international pharmaceutical company in a fraud pricing case tried for two weeks in Montgomery, Alabama, ending in the dismissal of all claims after an appeal.
  • Defended international tobacco manufacturers, regional distributors and retailers in numerous Alabama product liability cases, obtaining the dismissal of all claims and cases.
  • Defended multiple significant personal injury claims against a major railroad carrier arising out of a major accident in Marengo County, Alabama.
  • Defended several multi-plaintiff wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims arising out of separate aviation accidents.
  • Served as lead counsel in the settlement of nationwide consumer class action involving fraud claims against telecommunications company
  • Acted as Alabama counsel in settlement of nationwide toxic tort class action involving exposure to herbicide; handled class notification, opt-outs and other issues.
  • Served as lead counsel in the settlement of state-wide opt-out class in fraud and antitrust litigation against a major telecommunications provider.

Strategic Defense for Mass Tort Litigations

Mass torts defense is often more sophisticated than other litigation cases. These cases involve numerous plaintiffs across different jurisdictions, requiring a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape.

Strategic planning is paramount in mass tort defense. Mass tort attorneys must be adept at assessing the landscape comprehensively and identifying potential risks and opportunities. This involves a deep dive into the facts, legal theories, and potential defenses relevant to the case.

Helming Leach specializes in crafting tailored defense strategies that address the complexities of mass tort litigation. As one of the top mass tort and class action law firms in Alabama, we possess the expertise and resources to handle even the most challenging cases. With a proven track record of success, we stand ready to assist clients in developing and executing a strategic defense tailored to their specific needs. Contact us for more information.

Schedule a Consultation

Question & Answer

Mass tort litigation refers to legal cases where a large number of plaintiffs have suffered harm from a common defendant, such as a pharmaceutical company or manufacturer. These cases typically involve injuries caused by defective products, environmental disasters, or harmful practices. In mass tort litigation, each plaintiff’s case is typically handled individually.

Class action litigation, on the other hand, allows a group of individuals with similar claims against the same defendant to sue collectively as a single plaintiff. This is particularly useful when the individual damages of each plaintiff are relatively small, making it impractical for them to pursue individual lawsuits. Class actions are typically certified by a court if certain legal requirements are met, including numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation.

What is the difference between multi-district litigation and class action?

Multi-district litigation involves multiple cases in multiple venues that are combined for pretrial before one judge. The cases are then sent back to their initial courts for trial. In a class action lawsuit, select individuals represent the entire “class” in one trial. The ruling in a class action lawsuit applies to the entire class of plaintiffs, but in MDL the outcomes for each trial may be different.

Yes, Alabama, like other states, has statutes of limitations that set deadlines for filing lawsuits. These deadlines vary depending on the type of claim and can range from one to several years from the date of injury or discovery of harm.

The duration of mass tort litigation can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the number of plaintiffs involved, the jurisdiction, and the defendant’s willingness to settle. Some cases may be resolved relatively quickly through settlement negotiations, while others may take several years to reach a resolution, including through trials and appeals.

If successful, plaintiffs in mass tort lawsuits may receive compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of compensation awarded can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the extent of the harm suffered, and the strength of the evidence presented.

Attorneys