Class Action

Complex Cases, Outstanding Results

With Offices in Toronto, Peterborough, and Oshawa

Representing client in class action lawsuits is a major area of practice for our personal injury law firm, Miskin Law. A class action is a type of lawsuit brought on by a group of people or businesses against an entity or entities that have been harmed in the same way. It is done through a representative claimant who is the named plaintiff in the class action. Because the complainants’ claims have more weight and credibility when examined collectively, and the same witnesses and authorities will be relevant in each case, it is an efficient and cost-effective means of suing the defendant as a group, versus individually. A class action arms plaintiffs with more bargaining power, and encourages the Defendant to settle, knowing they will not face individual claims at a later date for the same reason. In Ontario, once a class action is filed, everyone who has a similar claim becomes a member of the class by default and is subject to the findings in the class action lawsuit unless they choose to opt-out of the class action so they can file their own claim.

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Lawyers in a team meeting in Ontario, Canada

Settlements & Payouts

Most class action claims settle, and all settlements must be approved by the court and found to be in the best interests of the members of the class who are claiming. Individual class members may give input to the court when a settlement is proposed. This may include opposing the settlement, especially if they would not benefit from it or if they believe the compensation is not adequate. Once a settlement is approved by the court, people who are entitled then file claims which are assessed by a claims administrator in accordance with the settlement agreement. Once all claims are assessed it can be determined how much any person will receive as compensation. It may still take a long time from settlement to payment, as many of our clients have experienced the Vioxx case which started in 2004 and settled in 2012, court approval given in September 2012, and claims were assessed almost to the end of 2015. Payment of those claims was in 2016. The idea behind a class action lawsuit is that when more people are harmed than can reasonably be gathered to file suit individually, they are brought together to form a “class” of people collectively.

Well-Known Class Action Suits Handled by Miskin Law

Class actions our firm has successfully represented clients include Vioxx, Bextra, Invokana, and Celebrex. These claims have settled. Our current active class actions are:

Xarelto

Yaz /Yasmin

Roundup (Glyphosate)

Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder

Asbestos & Class Actions

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of the deadly cancer mesothelioma and some other cancer types. Many companies using the deadly mineral knew the risks associated with exposure to asbestos but decided not to inform their employees of the dangers. Mesothelioma compensation is not by way of Class Action. Compensation for Mesothelioma is much faster, because there are asbestos trusts set up by the manufacturers of asbestos containing materials. These trusts have a claims procedure that is much quicker and does not go through the traditional court system. Miskin Law is the leading Canadian law firm handling Mesothelioma claims for over 20 years. If you or a family member have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call or email us today.

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Examples of Class Actions

Patients who were prescribed a medication and suffered side effects known by the pharmaceutical company but undisclosed.
A factory spills toxic chemicals into the water supply, causing thousands in a nearby town to suffer ill effects.
A company discovered a defect in a popular product and does not issue a recall, leading to the injury or death of hundreds of consumers.

How Miskin Law Can Help

As a Canada law firm experienced in class action lawsuits, especially with prescription medications, and also claims related to mesothelioma. Miskin Law can determine the best course of action in your situation to collect the damages to which you are entitled. We always advise our class action clients of their right to opt-out of the class action, and we explain their choice giving specific individual advice. When a class action settles, we work hard to document our clients claim to maximize their right to compensation within the class action. We charge a percentage as a contingency-fee from class action clients, so those who end up with no compensation do not get billed or have to pay for our expenses on their behalf. Contact Miskin Law today for a free consultation to see where you or your loved one stands with regard to collecting monetary relief for your losses, pain and suffering.

For class members, a class action lawsuit is a straightforward process. However, the team at Miskin Law realizes that you’ll have questions along the way. We have experience supporting clients in the Durham region, in Peterborough, and the entire Greater Toronto Area. Here’s what you can expect during each step of the class action process:

A lawyer files a class action lawsuit in hopes of benefitting all class members.
A judge reviews the case and certifies it to proceed.
All parties with a similar claim are notified and invited to become a part of the class action. During this step, you have the option to participate or opt-out. Should you choose to participate, you do not need to take any further legal action.
The case proceeds until a settlement is reached. Class members may receive damages at the conclusion of the case.

Class action lawsuits have several goals. In general, they’re used to create a level playing field for individuals going up against massive corporations with entire legal departments. These are the three main aims of class actions:

Making justice accessible for Canadians who may not have the resources to sue a large corporation
Saving court costs by consolidating many claims into one trial
Discouraging corporations from harming others and other forms of wrongdoing

When someone has been wronged, they often want to recover and move on with their lives. However, this could mean that you don’t seek justice against the negligent party. At Miskin Law, we help clients get justice through class action lawsuits. Here’s how you may be able to benefit from a successful class action case:

Help secure justice for yourself and other victims
Less time in court
Consistent payouts for each class member
Save money on legal fees
Reach a settlement with minimal participation on your part
Increase the chances of compensation for medical bills and other damages

About Daniel J. Miskin

Daniel J. Miskin mostly works on asbestos, mesothelioma, and class action cases. His passion for earning justice and compensation and proven track record have earned him trust and a sterling reputation amongst his clients.

Contact

daniel@miskinlaw.ca

Peterborough: 705-755-7363 ext. 2

Toll Free: 1-877-428-8000 ext. 2

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