Tort

Supreme Court Decision Challenges Traditional Bankruptcy Shields, Shakes Up Mass Tort Settlements

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New York — A recent Supreme Court decision could make bankruptcy a less favorable option for companies looking to settle massive legal battles. This landmark ruling rejected OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma’s Chapter 11 settlement, impacting the way courts handle legal claims against third parties who haven’t filed for bankruptcy themselves. Bankruptcy courts have historically provided several mechanisms that facilitate the resolution of large-scale litigation, such as the ability to halt ongoing lawsuits and force unwilling claimants to adhere to settlements. These tools have been used in a variety of cases, including those involving allegations of … Read more

Supreme Court Decision on Purdue Case Raises Complexities for Mass Tort Resolutions in Bankruptcy

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Washington, D.C.—A recent Supreme Court decision concerning Purdue Pharma has set a new precedent that may substantially impact how mass tort liabilities are managed in bankruptcy cases across America. This ruling comes amidst a significant legal challenge concerning the restructuring of Purdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical giant largely blamed for its role in the opioid epidemic. The court’s decision complicates the path for companies seeking bankruptcy protection as a strategy to resolve massive tort liabilities. The case centered around Purdue Pharma’s proposal to resolve thousands of lawsuits linked to the opioid crisis through a restructuring plan … Read more

Landmark Approval: US Judicial Panel Introduces Groundbreaking Rule to Regulate Federal Mass Tort Cases

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A judicial panel in the United States has approved a groundbreaking rule to regulate federal mass torts, marking a significant step forward in the legal arena. The rule, which is set to take effect in 2024, aims to streamline and consolidate the handling of mass litigation cases involving numerous plaintiffs across multiple federal courts. The approval of this rule comes as a response to the growing concern over the complexity and inefficiency of managing mass torts. Currently, cases involving similar claims but scattered across multiple jurisdictions often face logistical challenges and inconsistencies … Read more

Litigation Lawyer Justin VandenBout Joins Norton Rose Fulbright’s Houston Team, Enhancing their Products, Pharma, Medical, and Mass Tort Practice

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HOUSTON, TX – Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm, has recently added litigator Justin VandenBout as a partner to their Products, Pharma, Medical, and Mass Tort practice team. VandenBout, who previously worked at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, brings with him a diverse range of litigation experience, specializing in commercial litigation, product liability, insurance coverage, and mass tort cases. He has represented clients on both sides of legal disputes in federal and state courts throughout the United States, demonstrating his ability to handle a wide array of cases. VandenBout’s expertise and dedication to his clients have earned … Read more