Burden

Unpacking the Burden: How Mass Tort Litigations Inflate Societal Costs

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Washington, D.C. — The high-stakes arena of mass tort litigation is often viewed as a crucial recourse for justice, offering a gateway for numerous plaintiffs to address grievances against corporate giants. However, beneath the surface of these legal battles, often involving faulty products, environmental disasters, or pharmaceutical missteps, lie enormous societal costs that challenge both the economic and judicial landscapes. Mass tort cases are distinct in their structure, combining hundreds or even thousands of individual claims against one or several companies under the scrutiny of a single court. This approach is intended to streamline processes … Read more

Civic Duty or Civic Burden? Local Citizen’s Struggle with Jury Duty Unfolds

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Alton, IL – Seated at a wood-paneled courtroom in Madison County, Joe Crawford, a local bookstore owner, became an unwitting protagonist in a story that intersects daily life and civic responsibility when he was summoned for jury duty. For many, receiving a jury duty summons can be an inconvenience, but the process is a foundational pillar of the American legal system, ensuring that a cross-section of the community can weigh in on the legal matters at hand. Crawford, initially skeptical about the interruption to his routine, experienced a shift in perspective as he delved deeper … Read more

Bankruptcy Judge Seeks Change: Pushes for Special Masters in Talc Bankruptcy Cases to Ease Caseload Burden

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Newark, New Jersey – Since the first talc bankruptcy was filed in 2021, Judge Michael Kaplan has grappled with numerous disputes in the US Bankruptcy Court. These disagreements encompass a range of issues, including fights over discovery, disputes over the administration of individual claims, and conflicts over the total amount in controversy. If Kaplan were a district court judge overseeing a mass tort action, the solution would be clear: appoint a special master to efficiently manage the increasingly contentious parties. However, as a bankruptcy judge, Kaplan is prohibited from appointing a special master according to … Read more