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Environmental mass torts arise when a large number of individuals suffer similar injuries or damages due to environmental harm caused by the negligence or misconduct of certain entities. These entities can include pharmaceutical and public utility companies, manufacturers, or large industrial corporations. 

Environmental mass tort cases usually involve a multitude of plaintiffs seeking justice for injuries resulting from pollution, toxic exposure, groundwater contamination, and other forms of pollution or toxic environmental activities. These cases often involve catastrophic consequences that impact communities and individuals alike. 

Here are some examples to know:

• Wildfires: Wildfire mass tort claims occur when negligence, often by utility companies or landowners, leads to or worsens a wildfire, affecting numerous plaintiffs who face personal injuries, property damage, and other losses.
• Mudslides: Mass tort claims can arise from large-scale environmental events like mudslides, encompassing many individuals who face property damage, health issues, and various losses from the disaster.
• Pollution and Air Quality: When industries release pollutants into the air, it can result in serious health problems for nearby residents. Cases involving air pollution may include respiratory issues, neurological disorders, and other ailments.
  

• Toxic Exposure: Individuals who have been exposed to hazardous substances, whether through their occupation or residential proximity to toxic sites, may suffer from severe health complications. For example, mesothelioma results from exposure to asbestos and can also lead to long-lasting side effects, serious injuries, and sometimes even wrongful death.
  

• Groundwater Contamination: Contamination of groundwater sources with hazardous chemicals or substances can lead to serious health risks for communities that rely on these water sources for drinking and daily activities.
  

• Defective Products: Products that are poorly designed or manufactured using low-quality, or hazardous raw materials, can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Cases involving defective products may include unsafe consumer goods, faulty medical devices, and other items that pose risks to users and the environment. This also delves into product liability.
  

• Industrial Waste Disposal: Improper disposal of industrial waste can lead to soil and water contamination, impacting the environment and nearby communities.  A popularized example of this is the case led by Erin Brockovich.
  

• Pharmaceutical Drugs: Defective drugs sold as common over-the-counter consumer products or otherwise for specialized health or injury cases can lead to many side effects. Some may even last a lifetime and deserve to be compensated for. 

In an environmental mass tort lawsuit, each plaintiff brings forward an individual claim for compensation rather than joining a class action lawsuit. This approach allows a far more personalized focus on each case, ensuring that the unique circumstances of each plaintiff are fully considered in pursuing rightful compensation.

Keep in mind that, unlike a class action which has multidistrict litigation, this involves more of an individual case-to-case exploration as each claim has its own settlement. A mass tort action is still structured as an individual lawsuit.

At Frantz Law Group, our experienced personal injury lawyers and environment mass tort attorneys are dedicated to advocating for your rights. With a wide range of practice areas, we understand how much these cases can damage your life and the lives of large groups of people and are committed to getting you the justice and compensation you deserve.