When manufacturers, distributors, or corporations place unsafe products into the marketplace, the consequences can be devastating. From defective medical devices to toxic exposure and recalled consumer goods, these cases often affect not just one individual but hundreds or even thousands of people across Louisiana and beyond.
At the Gertler Law Firm, we have over five decades of experience representing individuals and families harmed by dangerous products and large-scale corporate negligence. Based in New Orleans, our attorneys have successfully handled product liability, class action, and mass tort litigation in both Louisiana and federal courts.
Our firm’s record of leadership in complex cases from medical device recalls to environmental contamination demonstrates the depth of our experience and our commitment to protecting Louisiana consumers from corporate misconduct.
Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Dangerous Products
Product liability law ensures that companies bear responsibility when their products cause harm. In Louisiana, claims may arise under the Louisiana Products Liability Act (LPLA), which establishes strict rules for proving that a product was defective in design, manufacture, or warning.
At the Gertler Law Firm, we pursue claims involving:
- Defective consumer products: Household appliances, tools, or electronics that cause fires, explosions, or injuries.
- Medical devices and implants: Including recalled hips, knees, pain pumps, and intrauterine devices that lead to internal damage or infections.
- Toxic or environmental exposure: Exposure to asbestos, herbicides such as Roundup, or industrial chemicals that cause long-term illness.
- Pharmaceutical injuries: Harmful side effects or undisclosed risks associated with prescription drugs.
Our attorneys meticulously investigate each case, consulting medical, scientific, and engineering experts to establish liability under Louisiana and federal law.
Mass Torts and Class Actions Explained
What Is a Mass Tort?
A mass tort involves many plaintiffs injured by the same defective product or corporate wrongdoing, each with individual damages and circumstances. These cases are often consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL) at the federal level or coordinated state proceedings to promote efficiency and consistency in rulings.
What Is a Class Action?
A class action combines the claims of a large group of individuals into a single case, typically when the harm to each person is similar. This type of litigation allows consumers to seek justice collectively against corporations that might otherwise escape accountability.
How Gertler Law Firm Approaches These Cases
Our firm has served in leadership and co-counsel roles in complex product liability and mass tort cases, working alongside national firms while ensuring that Louisiana clients have strong local representation. We are experienced in navigating the procedural complexities of MDL, class certification, and global settlement negotiations.
Experience in Louisiana and Nationwide Product Litigation
The Gertler Law Firm’s attorneys have extensive experience litigating against major manufacturers and corporate defendants.
Louis L. Gertler has represented clients in catastrophic injury, product liability, and class action litigation for decades, serving in key positions in multi-district proceedings. Mike Gertler has played a central role in toxic exposure, pharmaceutical, and defective product cases, including matters involving asbestos, herbicides, and consumer goods.
Their combined experience gives Louisiana residents access to the same level of representation typically available only through national firms, with the advantage of personal attention and local insight.
Common Product Liability and Mass Tort Cases We Handle
Our attorneys manage a broad range of defective product and large-scale injury cases, including:
- Defective Medical Devices and Implants: Defective hips, knees, shoulder pain pumps, and IUDs such as Paragard that cause internal injuries or require revision surgeries.
- Dangerous Pharmaceuticals: Drugs that cause severe side effects or long-term harm due to inadequate warnings or improper testing.
- Toxic Exposure and Environmental Contamination: Including mesothelioma and asbestos-related illness, Roundup and herbicide exposure, and industrial chemical contamination in Louisiana’s refineries and shipyards.
- Consumer Product Defects: Household items, vehicles, or tools that fail due to design or manufacturing flaws.
Each case requires scientific precision and a strategic approach, both hallmarks of the Gertler Law Firm’s litigation strategy.
How Louisiana Law Applies to Product Liability Cases
The Louisiana Products Liability Act (LPLA)
The LPLA provides the exclusive framework for pursuing claims against product manufacturers in Louisiana. Under this statute, a product is defective if it:
- Deviates from its intended design or manufacture
- Fails to include adequate warnings or instructions
- It is unreasonably dangerous in design
- Lacks sufficient safeguards for foreseeable use.
Our attorneys use expert testimony and detailed documentation to demonstrate how a defective product violated these standards and caused measurable harm.
Filing Deadlines (Prescription Period)
Most Louisiana product liability claims must be filed within one year of injury or discovery of the defect. Because these cases often involve scientific investigation, acting quickly is essential to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Multi-State and Federal Coordination
Many defective product cases are filed as federal MDLs or involve national settlement programs. Gertler Law Firm provides the advantage of local representation within a national framework, ensuring Louisiana plaintiffs are not overlooked in large-scale proceedings.
Why Experience Matters in Complex Litigation
Product liability and mass tort cases differ significantly from ordinary personal injury claims. They demand technical knowledge, extensive document review, and the ability to work alongside experts in medicine, toxicology, and engineering.
At Gertler Law Firm, we combine the resources of a seasoned litigation practice with the personal service of a Louisiana-based firm. Clients benefit from our deep understanding of both the science behind these cases and the procedural rules that govern them.
Why Clients Across Louisiana Trust Gertler Law Firm
- More than 50 years of litigation experience in Louisiana and federal courts.
- Proven record in defective product, mass tort, and toxic exposure cases.
- Leadership roles in complex and coordinated proceedings.
- Local representation with national reach, guiding Louisiana residents through high-stakes litigation.
- A firm-wide commitment to honest communication and client-focused advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Liability & Mass Tort Cases
What makes a product “defective” under Louisiana law?
A product is defective if it poses an unreasonable risk of harm due to a flaw in its design, manufacture, or labeling. Louisiana’s Products Liability Act outlines these specific categories of defect.
How is a mass tort different from a class action?
A mass tort involves individual claims consolidated for efficiency, while a class action represents one unified case for a group of similar victims. The Gertler Law Firm handles both depending on the nature of the injuries and damages involved.
Do I have to join a national lawsuit to pursue my claim?
Not necessarily. Our attorneys evaluate whether your case is best filed in the Louisiana state court or as part of a larger federal action. We protect your individual interests regardless of where the litigation occurs.
What compensation can I recover in a product liability case?
You may recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages if the manufacturer acted with reckless disregard for safety.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In most product liability cases, Louisiana allows one year from the date of injury or discovery of the defect to file a claim. Early consultation ensures your rights are preserved.
Can I afford to hire the Gertler Law Firm?
Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Speak With a New Orleans Product Liability & Mass Tort Lawyer
If you’ve been injured by a defective product, dangerous medical device, or toxic substance, the Gertler Law Firm is ready to help. Our attorneys have represented Louisiana residents in some of the most complex and high-stakes litigation in the country, from local injury cases to nationwide mass torts.
Contact our New Orleans office today to discuss your potential claim. We will review your case, explain your options, and take decisive action to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.