Personal injury cases take place when the plaintiff (an injured person) sues a business for accidentally or intentionally harming their mental or physical health. Usually, the plaintiffs will hire a lawyer to advocate for their rights and negotiate settlements.
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The liable parties eventually have to pay millions of dollars or more to the plaintiffs, as ordered by the juries. However, the exact amounts will depend on the severity of the damages, the proof presented, and the statute of limitations.
In 2022, the revenue generated by the legal industry from personal injury cases reached USD 59.90 billion. Moreover, the sector also grew by 2.2% in 2023. All these prove that personal injury cases are a fairly common occurrence in America.
In this article, we will discuss three personal injury lawsuits that had the biggest settlements.
#1. Tobacco Lawsuit
Settlement Amount: USD 206 billion
Just a few decades ago, people had no idea that tobacco was detrimental to their health. Unfortunately, it wasn’t standard knowledge because the tobacco companies were good at hiding the side effects.
Therefore, Americans lived with smoking-related health effects without knowing the source. For instance, people who smoked tobacco regularly developed cancer, heart disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, etc. Thankfully, multiple studies and reports proved that smokers had an increased risk of developing health issues.
Eventually, the affected individuals became furious with the tobacco companies once they learned about the side effects of smoking. They wanted to recover the medical costs associated with caring for their health issues. That’s why the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was signed by 56 states in 1998 on every victim’s behalf.
Many tobacco companies had to settle the lawsuits by paying billions of dollars for healthcare costs. For instance, the money helped hospitals care for sick smokers and allowed the development of anti-smoking organizations.
They also had to pay settlements for their unethical practices and misleading advertising. Due to this lawsuit, the cost of tobacco products rose, promotions were restricted, and companies were forced to put warning labels on their products.
#2. Instant Pot Lawsuit
Estimated Settlement: USD 25,000 to USD 2,000,000
The pressure cooker market is set to reach USD 8 billion by the end of 2030. People use this kitchen gadget because it’s convenient, can cook faster, and saves a lot of energy. Moreover, the meat, stew, sauces, or pulses you make in the cooker will be healthier and tastier.
One pressure cooker brand that took American households by storm was Instant Pot. This electric cooker was a blessing for many people across the country. That’s because it was a multipurpose tool that could cook, steam, warm, and sauté without hassle.
However, many reports surfaced about Instant Pot explosions. These proved that some units failed and ejected the hot liquid from the appliance. It also had defects in the manufacturing quality, leading to improper sealing and leakage.
As a result, people suffered burns, electric shock, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. They had to spend a lot on medical expenses like hospitalization, skin grafts, physical therapy, etc. Therefore, affected individuals were furious and filed an Instant Pot burn lawsuit to recover the costs associated with the damages.
They also wanted to hold the manufacturers liable for failing to warn them about the device’s defects. According to TorHoerman Law, the victims hired lawyers to gather evidence, assess the damages, calculate the deserved compensation, and negotiate on their behalf.
#3. Tylenol Lawsuit
Estimated Payouts: USD 50,000 to USD 1,000,000
Tylenol is an over-the-counter drug that’s popular as a pain reliever and fever medication. The 500 mg of acetaminophen present in this drug elevates the body’s pain tolerance and lowers fever by eliminating heat. That’s why various pregnant women took this medicine when they felt sick.
However, in-utero Tylenol usage has been linked to developmental disorders. The children had a higher chance of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This happens because the elements in acetaminophen disrupt the fetal gut microbiota of the pregnant woman. As a result, the fetus’s immune system gets affected, and the baby is subjected to neurodevelopmental problems.
Many families soon filed lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors, as they failed to warn them about the potential side effects. The companies involved in the Tylenol autism lawsuit include Target Corp., Rite Aid Corp., Safeway Inc., etc. In this ongoing lawsuit, plaintiffs can seek payouts for medical costs, ongoing treatment, pain, suffering, and permanent disability.
In conclusion, the settlement amounts from a personal injury lawsuit will depend on various factors. For instance, the use of a product that causes people to develop cancer will have a higher settlement than that of treatable physical injuries. However, you’ll need to file a case within a proper timeline.
Cases like the Instant Pot, Tobacco Master, and Tylenol lawsuits are great examples. All these prove that justice can be served if you’re on the right path.
