CLASS ACTION LITIGATION
The landscape of West Virginia litigation has changed in recent years because of class action and mass litigation cases. West Virginia is one of the few states with a separate civil justice litigation forum created for mass litigation cases.
The access to Federal Court provided by the Class Action Fairness Act is significant because of the low threshold for certifying a state class action. These cases involve prescription drugs, tobacco and insurance policies. Class action cases almost always results in the formation of litigation teams consisting of national and local counsel. Michael J. Farrell tried to a defense jury verdict the state class action certified against St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company arising out of its withdrawal from the medical professional liability insurance market. He has been Liaison Counsel for the manufacturing defendants and lead counsel for PPG Industries, Inc. in a chemical exposure case that has a pending motion for Class Certification.
The strength of associating with Farrell & Farrell on these cases is our capacity to support and communicate with national counsel and the client. Because of our class action experience in the trial and appellate courts, clients and national counsel are comfortable in knowing that there will be no surprises.
Farrell & Farrell accepts class action representations throughout the state of West Virginia.