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Defense Class Action Spending Breaks Record, Survey Says

By Lance A. Harke
And the survey says ...
And the survey says ...

According to the Carlton Fields’ annual 2022 Class Action Survey, labor and employment claims related to Covid-19 have skyrocketed.

A new survey released recently reveals that defense spending on class actions in the United States has increased for the seventh straight year and has reached a record-breaking all-time high of over $3 billion in 2021.
 

According to the Carlton Fields’ annual 2022 Class Action Survey, labor and employment claims related to Covid-19 have skyrocketed, especially wage and hour, discrimination, and workplace safety claims.

Key findings for 2022 include a massive uptick in consumer fraud claims, as companies increasingly use social media to communicate and draw scrutiny over statements regarding environmental, social and governance issues. The survey also noted a major increase in pharmaceutical and supplement-related class actions, with the typical large company expected to see a 27% increase in their class action caseload in 2022.

Labor and employment class cases remained the number one category in 2021, followed closely by consumer fraud, insurance, securities, and product liability. 

According to the survey, although COVID-19 claims are expected to drop long-term, companies anticipate there will be significant litigation in 2022 over vaccine policies and related workplace mandates.

UWWM will continue to monitor developments in class and mass tort actions, and will publish additional bulletins and updates for the benefit of its clients and colleagues.

The select mediators and arbitrators at UWWM’s Center for National Class and Mass Actions have decades of specific experience in class and mass actions and are uniquely qualified to assist you in resolving these legal disputes.  For further information and scheduling, please visit our website.

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