Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
Top-Rated Houston MDL Attorneys Handling Cases Nationwide
Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a complex branch of law that was specially designed to address the complexities of certain types of cases. If you are involved in an MDL case, you will need a knowledgeable professional on your side that understands the ins and outs of multidistrict litigation.
Examples of cases that may require an MDL to be formatted include:
- Defective medications / medical devices
- Product liability cases
- Airplane crashes
- Intellectual property cases
- Employee rights’ cases
With the help of a Houston multidistrict litigation lawyer from Arnold & Itkin, you can rest assured that you will get just that. When it comes to being injured in any type of accident, from industrial injuries to offshore injuries, there is no room for hesitation—in or out of the courtroom.
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation was created to help determine how complex cases such as railroad accidents and premises liability cases should be handled. This decision-making panel is needed since some civil action cases involve "questions of fact" that are left pending in more than one federal district. The MDL panel is tasked with figuring out which district of the federal system these actions should be transferred to. Both class actions and individual lawsuits can be consolidated through the formation of an MDL.
Arnold & Itkin recently represented a client in the Risperdal MDL, which was consolidated in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Our case was among the first to be tried and is among the first verdicts to come out of the MDL. We secured a verdict of $76.6 million—20 times larger than the previous 4 verdicts added together.
In some cases, hundreds or even thousands of plaintiffs are affected by a single injurious cause. This makes the process much more difficult. Several different courts share similar issues, so more than one federal court will often handle the types of issues involved. In order to speed up the process, the cases can be condensed under MDL and sent to the appropriate court for pretrial proceedings. The transfer process is also referred to as "centralization," and its purpose is to eliminate inconsistencies and duplications during pretrial discoveries. MDL cases will be sent back to the original court if they are not settled or terminated in the court to which they were first transferred.
Multidistrict Litigation FAQ
Is multidistrict litigation the same as class action?
Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is not a type of class action, although class actions are often litigated in MDL proceedings. A class action is a type of lawsuit involving a group of people with the same or similar against a defendant. They file a single lawsuit against the defendant, as a group. Multidistrict litigation involves the transfer and consolidation of all pending civil cases of a similar type to one federal judge.
Why was multidistrict litigation created?
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation was created in the late 1960s in response to a situation that involved nearly 2,000 related cases across 36 districts that alleged an antitrust conspiracy involving manufacturers of electrical equipment. The courts were ill-equipped to coordinate with one another to handle these cases, so a solution was devised to consolidate complex, related cases filed in multiple districts. Seven judges sit on the panel, presided by a chairman. The panel is responsible for reviewing and assigning cases for multidistrict litigation.
Why do I need an attorney experienced with multidistrict litigation?
When a civil lawsuit is transferred to a federal judge by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, you need to be certain that your attorney can effectively protect your rights. MDL proceedings are unique and involve complex rules, deadlines, and procedures. Discovery and pretrial matters must be properly navigated. You need an attorney who understands MDL and even when to avoid having a case removed to federal court where it would be subject to multidistrict litigation. At Arnold & Itkin, we have extensive experience with multidistrict litigation and fight to protect our clients’ rights every single step of the way.
Choose a Strong Houston Multidistrict Litigation Lawyer for Your Case
You need to feel secure in your attorney's ability to represent your case. You need to know that you have someone on your side who is able to effectively and strategically fight for the rights and compensation owed to you. Not all attorneys can properly handle these types of cases. Your lawyer needs to be someone with the experience and credentials to get the job done. At Arnold & Itkin, our attorneys have successfully handled the most complex of cases with success. Our track record proves it: we have won billions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
We know how stressful the time after an accident and injury can be, especially if you are involved in a multidistrict litigation case. In order to ease your anxiety, we want you to know that our lawyers are prepared to make sure we are with you every step of the way. A Houston multidistrict litigation lawyer from our team can fight for your rights and ensure that everything in our power is done to effectively represent your case.
Call (888) 493-1629. We'd be happy to provide you with a free consultation. Contact Arnold & Itkin today.