The traditional definition of torts involves bizarre, idiosyncratic events where a single plaintiff with a physical impairment sues the specific defendant he believes to have wrongfully caused that malady. Yet public attention has focused increasingly on mass personal-injury lawsuits over asbestos, cigarettes, guns, the diet drug fen-phen, breast implants, and, most recently, Vioxx. Richard A. Nagareda’s Mass Torts in a World of Settlement is the first attempt to analyze the lawyer’s role in this world of high-stakes, multibillion-dollar litigation. These mass settlements, Nagareda argues, have transformed the legal system so acutely that rival teams of lawyers operate as sophisticated governing powers rather than litigators. His controversial solution is the replacement of the existing tort system with a private administrative framework to address both current and future claims. This book is a must-read for concerned citizens, policymakers, lawyers, investors, and executives grappling with the changing face of mass torts.

Publisher Description

Mullenix's Mass Tort Litigation: Cases and Materials reflects two concepts: First, that the seminal, core cases and materials relating to mass tort litigation still remain viable precedents after 25 years. Second, that courts are still struggling to find solutions to the resolution of this complex litigation. In addition to the seminal cases relating to Agent Orange, Dalkon Shield, DES, and asbestos litigation, the casebook is updated with materials relating to breast implants, tobacco, medical devices, and pharmaceutical litigation. The updated casebook is suitable for advanced courses in tort litigation, complex procedure, class action litigation, and dispute resolution offerings.

Presenting twenty-two years of multidistrict litigation data, this book exposes a systematic lack of checks and balances in our courts.