Settlements

US Firms Hit With Unprecedented $40 Billion in Skyrocketing Court Settlements

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U.S. companies are increasingly finding themselves on the losing side of courtroom battles, with jury awards in civil lawsuits reaching staggering new highs. In the past year, these companies have been hit with about $40 billion in what are known as “nuclear verdicts” — lawsuit judgments that exceed $10 million. This figure not only signifies a sharp rise in the financial stakes of legal disputes but also reflects a broader trend that could have profound implications for businesses and their liability insurance costs. Traditionally, nuclear verdicts were quite rare, but their frequency has spiked dramatically. … Read more

Revolutionizing Legal Practices: Nationwide Surge in Attorneys Integrating Mass Tort Claims for Substantial Client Settlements

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Attorneys across the United States are increasingly incorporating mass tort claims into their personal injury practices, a move driven by the potential to address large-scale grievances where two to four million are seriously or fatally injured each year. This trend includes lawsuits related to defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, but also encompasses a broad range of incidents including airplane crashes, train accidents, and data breaches among other cases. Mass tort claims present unique opportunities for lawyers due to their national scope and the repetitious nature of filing similar claims for multiple clients. Economic efficiencies make … Read more

Top Legal Eagles Clash for Litigator of the Year as Historic Trials and Billion-Dollar Settlements Mark 2023

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New York, NY — As the legal industry gathers for The American Lawyer’s Industry Awards this Wednesday, anticipation builds around the announcement of the Litigator of the Year. Among the distinguished finalists are attorneys whose recent landmark cases have made significant impacts on corporate governance, antitrust regulations, intellectual property, and more. Jeroen van Kwawegen, a partner at Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, enjoyed a notably active year. Heading the firm’s corporate governance department, he presided over 45 cases, taking lead roles in significant plaintiff motions and various class action suits. His notable achievements include playing … Read more

2025 Could Mark the Turning Point for AFFF Firefighting Foam Settlements: Key Developments and Expectations for Cancer-Linked Litigations

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WASHINGTON — As the AFFF firefighting foam litigation continues to unfold, victims and legal experts alike eye 2025 with the hope of a significant settlement for personal injury and wrongful death claims related to PFAS exposure. The stakes are particularly high following a $10.3 billion global settlement agreement in 2023 that resolved many water contamination claims filed by municipalities and local water authorities against prominent defendants such as 3M and DuPont. AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, has been used extensively in firefighting, particularly in combating fuel fires at airports and military facilities. However, it contains … Read more