Wednesday, April 24, 2019
When Trial is Too "Expensive" for Law Firms
*CORRESPONDENCE ALSO SENT AS HARDCOPY VIA UPS*
Good Morning,
We hope this email finds you well. We would like to share important an important update regarding your transvaginal mesh claim against Ethicon.
As you know, your case is pending in the Ethicon multidistrict litigation (MDL) in West Virginia, overseen by Judge Goodwin. Despite the fact that your Ethicon case is part of a settlement process, Judge Goodwin has set a series of aggressive deadlines designed to push your case towards a trial. The imposition of these deadlines creates a problem – complying with them will require significant time and significant expense which, in turn, will make settling your Ethicon claim in the near future more difficult.
To avoid this problem, we have reached a potential agreement with Ethicon to dismiss your claim without prejudice. This means that your case will no longer be subject to the deadlines that will decrease any near term settlement amount to you by increasing your costs. Because the proposed dismissal is without prejudice, you are entitled to re-file your case against Ethicon in the event that you ultimately reject your settlement offer. Ethicon, however, has required that any such refiling not happen for one year from the date of dismissal. Ethicon wants to insure that the settlement process be allowed to run its course without interference from cases in litigation.
After considering the pros and cons of this potential agreement with Ethicon, we believe that it is in your best interest to dismiss your Ethicon case without prejudice. We have written to you separately regarding your Ethicon settlement offer and have recommended that you accept the same, however, you chose to request a further review with the Special Master. Though the Special Master is currently reviewing those requests, we believe that the proposed agreement regarding dismissal without prejudice strikes a balance that allows the settlement process to continue without interference.
Accordingly, unless you direct us not to, we will be dismissing your claim against Ethicon without prejudice. If you do not want us to dismiss your claim without prejudice in accordance with the above, you must contact us by April 24, 2019, and tell us the same.
If we do not hear from you on or before that date, we will dismiss your claim against Ethicon without prejudice. If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to inform us of your desire not to dismiss you claim, our toll free number is (877) 810-4808. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ann Jaye Case Manager Transvaginal Mesh Litigation |
17 E. Main Street, Suite 200 Phone: (850) 202-1010 Toll Free: (888) 255-AWKO (2956) |
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/mass_tort_litigation/2019/04/when-trial-is-too-expensive-for-law-firms.html
Comments
In most states, a voluntary dismissal with prejudice means that, for statute of limitations purposes, it was as if the action was never filed in the first place.
Posted by: James M. Beck | Apr 25, 2019 8:49:36 AM
The lawyers all seem the same. These cases are not about who deserves compensation the most, they're about a lot of other issues.
Justice NOT served.
Posted by: Janie | Jun 19, 2019 3:39:33 PM
My case was dismissed last year (2018). Would not have been profitable FOR THEM. I'm done with this bulls#$t and lawyers!
Posted by: Elizabeth Lewis | Apr 24, 2019 2:26:39 PM