Former ESL Teacher Turned Lawyer Empowers Change in Mass Tort and Product Liability Cases

Los Angeles, California – Rachel, an attorney at Husch Blackwell, specializes in mass tort and product liability cases. Their journey to the legal field took an unconventional path, driven by a desire to level the playing field for others. Initially aspiring to be an English as a Second Language teacher, Rachel’s experience teaching abroad made them realize they wanted to effect change on a systemic level, leading them to pursue a legal career. Drawing on their background as an ESL tutor and teacher, Rachel’s legal work is characterized by their ability to identify problems and … Read more

Mass Tort and Toxic Tort Legal Battles Soar in Federal Docket: Supreme Court and Appeals Courts Grapple with Groundbreaking Cases

RALEIGH, North Carolina – With an increasing number of mass tort and toxic tort claims being brought to court, television screens are bombarded with advertisements encouraging victims to seek compensation through large verdicts. As the first settlements for contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are reached and over 50% of the federal docket is filled with multi-district litigation primarily stemming from mass tort cases, various courts are having to grapple with the complexities of these legal battles. The U.S. Supreme Court, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the 1st District Illinois Appellate Court are among … Read more

Unraveling the Complexities of Mass Tort Settlements: Inside the World of Liability Forecasting

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Liability forecasting plays a critical role in the management of mass tort settlement trusts, which often involve billions of dollars and numerous claimants seeking compensation for their injuries. Administering these trusts is a complex task, with various factors and challenges to consider. One of the main challenges is the timeline of mass tort litigation. Exposures, injuries, and the discovery of injuries can span over multiple decades, during which companies may come and go, declare bankruptcy, or be bought and sold. Additionally, people may be exposed to new elements or conditions in their … Read more

Philadelphia’s Controversial Civil Rights Payouts: Outlier or Mass Tort in Question?

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The City of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has been making significant payouts to settle civil rights claims, sparking debates over whether these cases are outliers or a quasi-mass tort. Critics argue that the city’s trend of settling these cases at a high rate raises concerns about accountability and the need for systemic changes. In recent years, Philadelphia has faced a surge in civil rights lawsuits, with the city paying out millions of dollars to settle claims. These cases involve allegations of police misconduct, excessive use of force, and civil rights violations. The city … Read more