Ohio Class Action & Mass Tort Lawyers

Ohio Class Actions

Class action lawsuits are brought on by a group of people who have been harmed by the same company, product, person, or other entity. They are an effective way to manage complex litigation involving many individuals and give a case strength in numbers.

In Ohio, class actions are governed by Ohio Civil Rule 23. Before a case can proceed as a class action, an Ohio court must certify the class, meaning the group must meet specific legal standards for size, shared facts, and fair representation. Our Ohio class action lawyers handle that certification process for you and pursue the full value of the group’s claims.

Types of Class Actions

• Employment Class Actions – These types of lawsuits are typically brought on by a group of employees because of an issue such as discrimination, a dangerous workplace, or unpaid overtime and wage-and-hour violations.
• Consumer Class Actions – Consumer class action lawsuits are started by consumers who were hurt by the illegal practices of a company that developed and sold malfunctioning or defective products.
• Product Liability Class Actions – When a manufacturer breaks their duty to provide the public with products that are free of hazards and these products hurt any number of people, product liability claims may give rise to a class action.
• Pharmaceutical Class Actions – Pharmaceutical class actions involve the incorrect use of dangerous drug and medical device injuries, some with serious side effects, that lead to serious injuries and in some cases death.

Common Types of Ohio Class Actions

Ohioans pursue class actions across a wide range of harms. The most common categories our team sees include:

• Consumer and financial class actions – false advertising, hidden fees, unfair billing, and deceptive sales practices.
• Defective product class actions – dangerous or poorly designed goods that injure many people in the same way.
• Pharmaceutical and medical device class actions – prescription drugs and implants that cause widespread harm.
• Employment and wage-and-hour class actions – unpaid overtime, misclassified workers, and workplace discrimination affecting groups of employees.
• Data breach and privacy class actions – exposure of personal, financial, or medical information when a company fails to protect customer data.

Ohio Mass Tort Claims

In a mass tort claim, one attorney or a group of attorneys can represent numerous people who were injured by a particular product, like a dangerous drug or defective medical device.

However, each person retains his or her own individual claim rather than becoming part of a single claim as in a class action.

The Benefits of a Mass Tort

Mass torts allow you to be represented as an individual and pursue your own case but also pool resources with other attorneys and plaintiffs handling similar claims.

This makes litigation more efficient and cost-effective because you retain the ability to come to an individual settlement or verdict that you do not have to divide among other plaintiffs.

Mass Torts Involving Drugs & Medical Products

Mass torts are frequently used in cases involving dangerous medications or faulty medical devices. For example, you may have taken a prescribed drug for years, only to discover years later that it causes heart problems.

Additionally, poorly designed, manufactured, tested, and labeled devices can contribute to significant pain and loss. What makes the situation even worse is when these items are used nationwide. The effects can be widespread and affect thousands, or even millions, of people.

Class Action vs Mass Tort: What Is the Difference?

When a group of people is harmed in similar circumstances or injured by the same product, they may combine their legal efforts in one of two ways: a class action or mass tort claim. While there are important differences, the main benefits of pursuing either are to lower costs, pool resources, and pursue larger financial recoveries.

The key difference is how your claim is treated. In a class action, everyone is bound together as one group under a single lawsuit, and any recovery is divided among the class. In a mass tort, you keep your own individual claim and your own potential recovery, even though your case is coordinated with others. Our attorneys help you understand which path fits your situation.

Ohio Class Action Laws and Deadlines

Ohio sets firm deadlines for filing class action and mass tort claims. Most personal injury and product liability claims in Ohio must be filed within two years of the injury under Ohio’s statute of limitations (Ohio Revised Code 2305.10). For injuries caused by toxic exposure, defective drugs, or medical devices, the clock generally starts when you learn, or reasonably should have learned, that the exposure caused your harm.

Because these deadlines vary by the type of harm and when it was discovered, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as you suspect you have a claim. Missing the deadline can permanently bar your recovery.

To certify a class, Ohio courts apply Ohio Civil Rule 23, which requires that the group be numerous enough that individual lawsuits are impractical, share common questions of law or fact, have representatives whose claims are typical of the class, and have representatives who will fairly protect everyone’s interests.

Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a Free Consultation

Why Choose Our Ohio Class Action Lawyers

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our Ohio personal injury lawyers represent individuals, groups, and classes of all sizes to get the compensation they deserve.

With more than 750 years of combined experience and a long history of fighting for injured Ohioans, we can help you understand your rights and successfully guide you through a class action or mass tort claim.

At KNR, we ask, “what more can we do?”

• 30+ Attorneys – Over 5 centuries of combined legal experience.
• 12 Ohio Offices – KNR is Ohio-wide and eager to help.
• 100+ Staff – KNR prides itself on being available.
• 100,000+ People Helped & Billions Recovered – We get results. You get to move on.
• Zero Risk – Your job is to heal. We handle everything else.

The Ohio Class Action Process

A typical Ohio class action lawsuit moves through five main phases. Understanding them helps you know what to expect once your case is underway.

• Certification – If a case qualifies as a class action lawsuit under Ohio Civil Rule 23, the court will certify the class.
• Defining the class – Once a case receives certification, a judge will define the characteristics of the class.
• Notification – Next, the judge will order that all plaintiffs be notified of the class action. They may be notified by mail, advertisements, and television.
• Opting out – Plaintiffs who prefer to file their own lawsuit will be informed that they have the right to opt out of the class action.
• Selecting counsel and distributing damages – The judge selects counsel experienced with class actions to represent the class fairly, then works with that attorney to design a plan for distributing monetary damages to the plaintiffs.

Our Ohio Lawyers Are Here to Help

Our statewide practice is designed to make going through a mass tort claim or class action lawsuit in Ohio more convenient and accessible. With 12 Ohio locations, KNR is a call or click away.

• Akron
• Beachwood
• Canton
• Cincinnati
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Dayton
• Independence
• Toledo
• Westlake
• Youngstown

KNR also serves Ohio’s rural counties and conducts consultations via Zoom.

Class Action & Mass Tort Info Center

Ohio Class Action and Mass Tort FAQs

Our Legal Team Will

• Investigate, collect evidence, and find those at fault.
• Interview witnesses, medical professionals, and experts.
• Communicate with the insurer, clarify liability, and pursue maximum compensation.
• Determine the full and fair value of what you lost and deserve.
• Keep you informed and involved. KNR is available by phone, text, email, or Zoom.
• Protect your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court.
• Never charge you upfront. If there is no recovery, there is no cost.

If you or a loved one were harmed by a defective product, dangerous drug, or unfair corporate practice, call KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW or schedule a free consultation today. There is no fee unless we win.