Tort

Otterbourg P.C. Launches Mass Tort Bankruptcy Practice Group to Navigate Complex Cases

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New York City, NY – Otterbourg P.C. has officially announced the launch of its Mass Tort Bankruptcy Practice Group. The group, which had previously functioned informally within the firm, has now solidified its position as a key practice area. The practice group will offer guidance and representation to creditors and fiduciaries involved in bankruptcies with substantial mass tort liabilities. Led by Bankruptcy and Restructuring Partner Sunni P. Beville and Litigation Partner Adam C. Silverstein, the cross-departmental practice group will benefit from the expertise of Melanie Cyganowski, retired Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court for the … Read more

Groundbreaking Resolution Reached as Philadelphia Mass Tort Case Against Janssen’s Bladder Drug Concludes Successfully

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – A mass tort case against pharmaceutical company Janssen over its bladder drug is coming to a close without a jury verdict. The trial had begun in late October with sixty-two plaintiffs alleging that Janssen’s drug had caused them harm. However, the case was recently settled for an undisclosed amount, marking the end of the litigation. The lawsuit was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where thousands of other lawsuits related to the drug have been consolidated as part of a mass tort program. The plaintiffs claimed that Janssen failed to … Read more

Philadelphia Mass Tort Over Bladder Drug Concludes Without Bellwether Trial, Confidential Settlements Reached

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Philadelphia’s coordinated litigation over bladder medication Elmiron is coming to a close. The mass tort had its first trial scheduled to begin on Monday, but the majority of cases have been resolved through confidential settlements in the past six months. Tobi Millrood, partner at Kline & Specter and plaintiffs liaison counsel, provided this information. The Philadelphia mass tort involved numerous cases related to the use of Elmiron, a bladder medication. Confidential settlements have been reached for most of the cases in the program, leading to the cancellation of the bellwether trial. This trial would have … Read more

Examining the Debate: Should Mass Tort Cases be Handled in Bankruptcy Court?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The debate over whether mass torts should be handled in bankruptcy court has gained significant attention. One recent example is the Boy Scouts of America, which faced tens of thousands of claims of child sexual abuse dating back several decades. Fearing the potential end of its operations, the organization filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Now, the proposed terms of the Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy settlement could prevent survivors from seeking justice in other courts, regardless of whether they agree to the deal. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering the permissibility of such … Read more