Complex litigation refers to legal proceedings that involve a large number of parties, significant amounts of evidence and documentation, and complex legal issues. Complex litigation can be time-consuming and costly, as it often requires the involvement of multiple lawyers and other legal professionals, and may involve multiple rounds of discovery and motion practice.
Examples of complex litigation can include class action lawsuits, multi-district litigation (MDL), mass torts, and antitrust cases. Complex litigation can also include cases involving high-stakes disputes, such as cases involving significant damages, intellectual property disputes, and cases with significant public interest or media attention.
In complex litigation cases, it is common for parties to seek the assistance of specialized legal professionals, such as expert witnesses and consulting firms, to help them navigate the legal issues and build their case. The legal process in complex litigation cases can be lengthy and may involve multiple stages, including discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial.
1. Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Litigation: Johnson & Johnson is facing a complex litigation matter involving talcum powder products. The company has been accused of failing to warn consumers of the potential health risks associated with using talcum powder products, such as ovarian cancer. Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against the company claiming they developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products. A number of verdicts have been reached in favor of the plaintiffs, leading to multi-million dollar settlements.
2. Volkswagen Dieselgate: Volkswagen is facing a complex litigation matter involving its diesel vehicles. The company has been accused of installing “defeat devices” in its diesel vehicles that enabled the vehicles to pass emissions tests but emit excessive amounts of pollutants when driven on the road. The U.S. government has sued Volkswagen for the alleged violations and reached a settlement with the company. The settlement requires Volkswagen to pay billions of dollars in fines and buy back or repair affected vehicles.
3. Google Antitrust Litigation: Google is facing a complex litigation matter involving allegations of antitrust violations. The U.S. government has accused Google of using its dominant position in the search engine market to stifle competition and gain an unfair