Class Action and Mass Tort Lawyers in Coral Gables and Nationwide
Maderal Byrne & Furst handles class action and multi-district litigation (MDL) cases for plaintiffs nationwide. Our attorneys have been appointed by courts to leadership roles in class actions and MDLs involving mass disasters, pharmaceutical products, defective auto parts, and investor and financial-market claims.
Class actions and mass torts allow large groups of people harmed by the same product, event, or conduct to seek compensation, and in some cases can lead to changes in a company’s practices.
Class Actions, MDLs, and Mass Torts: What They Are
These terms are often used together, but they mean different things:
- Class action: One or more people sue on behalf of a larger group who were harmed in a similar way, such as consumers who bought the same product. A court must approve (“certify”) the group as a class before the case can proceed as a class action (Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23).
- Multi-district litigation (MDL): When many federal lawsuits share common questions of fact, they can be transferred to one federal judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings (28 U.S.C. § 1407). An MDL is not itself a class action, and the individual cases generally keep their own claims.
- Mass tort: Many individual people are injured by the same product, drug, or event, and each person has their own claim and their own damages. Mass tort cases are often coordinated in an MDL.
In class actions and MDLs, the judge appoints the lawyers who lead the case on behalf of everyone else. Leadership roles include lead or co-lead counsel, liaison counsel, and plaintiffs’ steering committee members, who coordinate discovery and negotiate on behalf of the whole group.
Our Court-Appointed Leadership Positions
- Rachel Furst, Co-Chair Lead Counsel: Champlain Towers South Condominium Collapse (Surfside, FL). Case No. 2021-015089. This class action resulted in a court-approved settlement of approximately $1.1 billion.
- Frank Maderal, Liaison Counsel: In re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation. MDL No. 2924.
- Rachel Furst, Liaison Counsel: In re: January 2021 Short Squeeze Trading Litigation. MDL No. 2989. This MDL arises from trading restrictions on certain “meme stocks” in January 2021.
- Rachel Furst, Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee: In re: FTX Cryptocurrency Exchange Collapse Litigation. MDL No. 3076. This MDL follows the collapse of the FTX exchange.
- Frank Maderal, Co-Lead Counsel: MJ Capital Ponzi Scheme Class Action. Case No. 21-cv-61749. This investor class action resulted in a $26 million settlement.
- Frank Maderal, Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee: In re: Elmiron (Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium) Products Liability Litigation. MDL No. 2973.
- Rachel Furst, Steering Committee: In re: Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation. MDL No. 2599.
Recognition
- Best Law Firms 2027: Regional Tier 1 (Miami) and National Tier 3, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs.
- Best Lawyers 2026 and 2027: John Byrne, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have a Class Action or Mass Tort Claim?
Whether you can take part in a class action or mass tort depends on the product or event involved, when and where you were affected, and the deadlines in your case. Contact us for a free case evaluation, and we will tell you whether we can help with your claim.
Do I need my own lawyer to be part of a class action?
In most class actions, you do not need your own lawyer to be included. If you fit the class definition, you are generally included automatically unless you opt out, and the class notice explains how to claim any settlement benefits. You can also choose to hire your own lawyer. In a mass tort, each person generally has an individual claim, usually with their own lawyer.
How long do class actions and mass torts take?
These cases often take years to resolve, and timing varies widely depending on the claims, the number of people involved, and the court.
What should I do if I received a class action notice?
Read it carefully. The notice explains who is included, the deadlines, and your options, which usually include staying in the class, opting out, or submitting a claim for settlement benefits. Contact an attorney if you have questions.
Are you accepting new clients in your class action and mass tort cases?
Contact us for a free case evaluation to find out whether we can help with your claim.
How much does it cost to hire a class action or mass tort lawyer?
We handle class action and mass tort cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees, and owe nothing for case costs, unless we recover compensation for you. In a class action, the court must approve any attorney’s fees, which are typically paid from the settlement fund rather than by class members out of pocket (Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(h)).
Attorney Referrals
We accept attorney referrals in Florida and nationwide.
If you believe you may have a claim connected to a class action or mass tort, contact Maderal Byrne & Furst today for a free case evaluation. Call our office directly at 305-520-5690 or fill out our secure online contact form.
Past performance and recoveries do not guarantee future results.
