California Mass Tort & Class Action Lawyer
Mass Torts & Class Actions Attorney in California
Civil claims allow injured individuals to seek compensation for the damages inflicted upon them by others, whether this occurs from negligence or failure to account for the safety and wellbeing of others. When a person or company harms multiple people in an identical manner, the injured individuals can pull together into a mass tort or class action to hold the responsible party accountable.
Mass torts and class actions are civil claims for wrongdoing or negligence. In the United States, most mass tort claims target companies that release dangerous products or those that engage in dangerous business practices. If you recently suffered any kind of harm from a product and discover that you are not alone, you may have grounds to join in an active mass tort or class action claim against the responsible party.
Why Do I Need Legal Representation for a Mass Tort Claim?
Mass tort claims are highly complex due to the fact that they involve multiple plaintiffs, sometimes thousands of them. These plaintiffs, who all likely live in different areas, must file their claims in state or federal court. If all their claims name the same defendant, the case will move to a single federal judge who will oversee the multidistrict litigation case. The laws are different across the United States. Sometimes the law can change not only from state to state but also from county to county and at the local level as well. Multidistrict litigation helps coordinate the mass tort claims of all plaintiff’s through a single court, and often helps lead to a mass tort settlement.
Having a reliable and experienced mass torts attorney help you with your mass tort claim is a wise choice. These claims are complex, and joining a mass tort claim that is already in progress can be a challenging endeavor. Your attorney can guide you through the steps necessary for securing compensation from your mass tort claim and help you prepare for what you might encounter during the mass tort litigation process related to your claim.
What Are Mass Tort and Class Action Lawsuits?
Mass tort and class action lawsuits are closely linked. Both involve a large number of plaintiffs filing claims for damages against a single defendant. The main difference between the two is whether each plaintiff agrees to be named in the legal proceedings of the case. In a mass tort, all plaintiffs participate in the litigation and are named in the case. A class action involves a set of named plaintiffs that act as class representatives, and some members of the class action lawsuit may not agree to be named in the litigation process. However, by agreeing to join the class action, these unnamed class members can still receive small portions of the case award if the lawsuit is successful.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton, LLP have successfully handled numerous mass tort claims and class action product liability claims in the past. Our team is currently litigating multiple mass torts involving pharmaceutical product liability and other claims. We have the resources and legal experience to navigate these difficult claims and help our clients maximize their recoveries through these cases.
Mass Torts for Zantac and Ranitidine
The attorneys at Easton & Easton, LLP are currently litigating mass tort claims for damages sustained from the consumption of certain heartburn medications, specifically ranitidine, commonly sold under the brand name Zantac. As of April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions for US retailers to cease the stocking and sale of all ranitidine-based heartburn medications due to the potentially carcinogenic effects the drug might have. The root of the problem is a substance known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which can accumulate in ranitidine medications over time and increase the risk of developing certain cancers.
Anyone who has taken ranitidine medications and developed cancer or other medical conditions linked to the known effects of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) exposure may have grounds to join the ongoing mass tort litigation against the manufacturers of ranitidine-based medications (primarily Zantac).
Mass Torts for Roundup Exposure
Roundup is one of the most effective herbicides ever produced, and it has also been shown to be incredibly harmful to humans who come into contact with the substance. Roundup, produced by Monsanto/Bayer, has proven links to various forms of cancer, including Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, leukemia, and many other diseases due to the Glyphosate included in the product. Some studies even report that Glyphosate exposure can increase the risk of developing cancer by 40% or more.
In June 2020, a preliminary $10 Billion settlement was reached between Bayer/Monsanto and many of the mass tort plaintiffs regarding the harmful cancer-causing effects of Glyphosate in Roundup. However, many aspects of the settlement are still being negotiated, and many mass tort claims are still proceeding in litigation against Bayer. Given the quickly evolving nature of these claims and the preliminary settlement, it is imperative that an experienced attorney help you navigate the Roundup mass tort litigation.
Mass Torts for Mesothelioma
Many decades ago, asbestos was a preferred building material due to its fireproof qualities. However, early adopters of asbestos did not realize the fibers of the substance could make their way to the lungs and cause mesothelioma, an aggressive form of lung cancer. Over the past several decades, property owners have been forced to remove asbestos from their facilities to ensure it cannot affect occupants and visitors, but not all property owners have taken this responsibility seriously. Additionally, construction crews working on older buildings must use extra caution and protective gear to prevent exposure to asbestos.
If you developed mesothelioma after living in an older home that the landlord or previous owner neglected to inspect for asbestos or after working for a construction company that failed to provide you with the protective equipment you needed to perform your job safely and minimize exposure to asbestos, you may have grounds to join a mass tort against the offending party if their negligence resulted in similar effects to others.
Mass Torts for Clergy Abuse
The rampant child abuse present among Catholic parishes across the United States has exploded into a massive scandal. Many members of the clergy are currently facing criminal charges and civil liability for victims’ damages. However, since many leaders of the Catholic Church in the US not only knew about this problem but actively attempted to cover it up, victims of clergy abuse in the Catholic Church can potentially form a mass tort claim against members of the Catholic Church responsible for the ongoing abusive conspiracy.
Things to Remember About Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Product Liability Claims
Easton & Easton has significant experience handling complex mass torts against powerful and influential defendants. We understand the extensive suffering many Americans have experienced due to the actions of abusive clergymen and products claimed to be safe for human use. Joining a mass tort claim against a defendant responsible for damages to hundreds or thousands of people can expedite the process of securing compensation for those damages. However, it’s vital for anyone considering joining a mass tort claim to understand how these claims work.
When an individual files a civil claim for damages against another person or a company, the plaintiff’s attorney will provide evidence of the full extent of the plaintiff’s damages. If the plaintiff’s attorney can prove that the defendant in the case is responsible for those damages, the defendant must compensate the plaintiff as the judge decrees. Since mass tort claims involve many plaintiffs against a single defendant, the ruling typically involves a single settlement amount that is then divided among the plaintiffs according to their claimed level of damage. As such, it is crucial that each plaintiff have experienced attorneys to help ensure that they qualify for the highest level of damages possible in order to receive the most compensation possible under any mass tort award or settlement.
Secure Legal Representation Today
The attorneys at Easton & Easton understand the complexity of mass tort claims and the uncertainty victims face. A mass tort attorney can help victims of a dangerous consumer product, systematic clergy abuse, or supposedly safe over-the-counter drugs determine their best options for legal recourse. If you need a mass tort lawyer for a claim involving Zantac, Roundup, mesothelioma, or clergy abuse, contact our attorneys at Easton & Easton in Orange County, CA to schedule a case evaluation.
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Easton & Easton has been recognized by TopVerdict.com Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement in Los Angeles for 2025, for the case Bicyclist v. Inattentive Driver — the fifth time the firm has appeared on a TopVerdict list across nine years, and a recognition that arrives in the firm’s 35th anniversary year.
The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by OC Register Voters as "The Best Law Firm in Orange County” each year since voting began in 2022.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California by the National Trial Lawyers — a membership organization limited to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis and Gabe have each been selected to "Best Lawyers" for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers selects the Top 5% of attorneys based on peer voting and client reviews.
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton was named a Tier 1 firm in Southern California by U.S. News & World Report — the highest ranking a law firm can achieve. Selection is based on client feedback, peer reputation, and professional excellence. When independent evaluators rank the best, we're at the top.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, Brenda Kocaj, and Alexandro Garza were selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars — honoring the top 2.5% of attorneys 40 or younger in California.
Easton & Easton was voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" by readers of the Los Angeles Times in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Three years in a row — chosen by the people we serve
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton were once again selected to Super Lawyers — a distinction earned by only 5% of California attorneys. Selection is based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring attorneys in the top 5%.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the "People Love Us On Yelp" award in 2016 due to exceptional client satisfaction reviews.Our clients don't just hire us — they recommend us.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton are lifetime members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — a distinction held by less than 1% of U.S. attorneys. Membership requires securing a verdict or settlement of $2 million or more. When you hire Easton & Easton, you're hiring proven results - because Results Matter.
Doug Easton has held the "AV Preeminent" Rating for over 30 years, and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, based on the legal profession's oldest peer review rating system — dating back to 1887. When your peers have trusted your ability and integrity for over three decades, that says everything.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a proven track record of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board. Membership isn't given — it's earned in the courtroom.
Travis Easton, Gabe Mendoza, and Brenda Kocaj were selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 — an invitation-only honor recognizing the nation's top young trial attorneys. At Easton & Easton, experience and ambition work side by side.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 — based on skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews. A perfect score. No room for higher.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
No purchase was required for selection. Selection methodologies available upon request.
“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
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