Seeger Weiss LLP

Groundbreaking Results

Our firm consistently secures favorable outcomes for our clients, whether that means reaching significant settlements or achieving landmark verdicts in court. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

National Prescription Opiate Litigation

Pharmaceutical companies profiting off the sale of prescription opioid pain relievers relied on misrepresentations and deceptive marketing practices, encouraging healthcare providers to prolifically prescribe these highly addictive drugs. In the U.S., there was an almost three-fold increase in the number of pain prescriptions over a 20-year period ending in about 2011. Over prescribing, improper marketing, and abuse of opioid medications resulted in an epidemic of overdose deaths and opioid addiction, creating a nationwide public health crisis. Overwhelmed by the ballooning cost of treating problems associated with overdose and addiction, many health and law enforcement agencies at federal, state, and local levels filed lawsuits, which were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  

In July 2021, the National Prescription Opiate Litigation Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) – led by seasoned attorneys including Seeger Weiss co-founding partner Chris Seeger along with partner Jennifer Scullion – announced a $26 billion global settlement agreement on behalf of over 3,300 U.S. communities with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and the “Big Three” drug distributors – AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. Over 90% of litigating local governments confirmed participation in the settlement, which provides essential funding for opioid treatment, education, and prevention efforts.

In November 2022, the big three pharmacies – CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart – agreed to settlements totaling more than $13 billion in deals negotiated by the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee. CVS agreed to pay $4.9 billion to state and local governments, as well as $130 million to Native American tribes, over the course of 10 years, Walgreens plans to pay $5.7 billion over the next 15 years, including $155 million to Native American tribes, and Walmart agreed to pay $3.1 billion in an expedited payment. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies now total over $50 billion in funding to be used to directly abate the harm caused by the opioid epidemic over the last several decades. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Litigation

In 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Violation of the Clean Air Act to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., alleging four-cylinder VW and Audi diesel cars with model years 2009 – 2015 were equipped with computer software in their “Clean Diesel” cars to circumvent EPA emissions standards for air pollution. After the discovery of a "defeat device" in Volkswagen's line of VW and Audi "clean diesel" vehicles that allowed them to circumvent EPA emissions standards for air pollution, Seeger Weiss helped represent over 500,000 drivers and lessees who were sold the vehicles under false pretenses.

Seeger Weiss helped secure a nearly $15 billion settlement of the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation. The settlement ensures that applicable Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter TDI owners and lessees receive compensation and that remediation for the environmental impact of the excessive emissions will occur. It is the largest consumer auto industry class action settlement in U.S. history, providing more than $10 billion for affected consumers and an additional $4.7 billion to remediate environmental damage caused by the vehicles. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

NFL Concussion Litigation

Beginning in 2011, nearly 5,000 former players courageously sued the National Football League over head trauma they received during their NFL football careers, which in many cases led to long-term neurocognitive diseases that we now believe to be associated with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The lawsuits alleged that the NFL knew about the health risks for years but hid that information from its players.

In May of 2019, U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody named Seeger Weiss sole lead plaintiffs’ firm in the ongoing $1 billion-plus settlement aimed at compensating former National Football League players and their families for physical damage—particularly cognitive issues connected with brain trauma—stemming from playing in the League. The settlement was approved in 2015 and went into effect in 2017. The historic settlement, now in its fifth year, is on track to cost the NFL far more than it projected, and former players are receiving the benefits they are entitled to and deserve. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Vioxx Litigation

Co-founder Chris Seeger served as co-lead counsel, leading litigation on behalf of approximately 27,000 plaintiffs who alleged Merck’s prescription arthritis drug Vioxx led to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Seeger and partner Dave Buchanan, who was appointed co-liasion counsel in the New Jersey state Vioxx litigation, represented Frederick “Mike” Humeston in a jury trial that yielded the Vietnam veteran $47.5 million verdict. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

In 2008, Seeger — as a member of the Vioxx Negotiating Committee — concluded a $4.85 billion settlement with Merck after the company lost multiple important bellwether or early lawsuit trials. Merck also agreed to settle a federal class action lawsuit filed by investors for $830 million. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

3M Earplug Litigation

From 1999 to 2015, 3M knowingly manufactured, marketed, and sold dangerously defective Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplug, Version 2 (or CAEv2) to the United States Military. Now, more than 250,000 veterans suffering from injuries such as hearing damage are seeking to hold 3M accountable. The consolidated case is the largest federal mass tort in U.S. history.

On January 27, 2022, a jury awarded a $110 million verdict to U.S. veterans Ronald Sloan and firm client William Wayman in the 11th bellwether trial. Seeger Weiss partner David Buchanan served as lead counsel for Mr. Wayman as well as co-lead trial counsel in the consolidated trial. On March 25, 2022, co-founder Chris Seeger and partner Caleb Seeley represented Luke Vilsmeyer in the 12th bellwether trial, winning a $50 million verdict for the Army veteran. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation

Thousands of suits were filed against Syngenta in the aftermath of China’s 2013 embargo of U.S. corn, which sent U.S. corn prices tumbling by 20% and corn futures plummeting by 15%, costing the domestic U.S. industry more than $1 billion. At the time, China was the largest overseas customer for American corn. Chinese authorities rejected U.S. corn after detecting the presence of Agrisure Viptera, the commercialization of which by Syngenta commenced before receiving Chinese import approval. Syngenta’s introduction of the seed resulted in its widespread infiltration into the U.S. corn supply and ultimately to China’s embargo.

Seeger Weiss helped secure a $1.51 billion nationwide class action settlement between Syngenta AG and various of its affiliates and Plaintiffs representing 650,000 corn producers, grain handlers, and ethanol plants over the agricultural giant’s aggressive commercialization of Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Duracade GMO seeds. It is the largest agricultural litigation settlement in U.S. history. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter.

Recognized for Excellence

Chambers

For the third consecutive year, Seeger Weiss has been honored with the highest firm ranking, Band 1, in the Chambers USA Product Liability: Plaintiffs guide. Chambers stated that Seeger Weiss is “highly regarded for its representation of plaintiffs in mass tort litigation related to opioids, emissions and data security matters. It has significant experience in pharmaceutical and agricultural cases.” The guide added, “The firm is well known for expertise in settling complex multidistrict litigation mandates in both federal and state courts.” 

Founding partner Chris Seeger was honored with Band 1 in Product Liability, marking the 17th consecutive year Chris was featured by Chambers in its annual guide. According to his Chambers profile, Chris is a “highly acclaimed practitioner who frequently acts on concussion class actions and automotive cases” and is “particularly esteemed for his work on opioid litigation.” Chambers ranked partner Dave Buchanan Band 2 in Product Liability for the ninth straight year. Dave’s profile says he is a “renowned trial lawyer who has acted on high-profile cases including opioid litigation, pharmaceutical cases and consumer products.” Dave also rated in Band 3 for Chambers’ Global 2023 E-Discovery & Information Governance guide.

Chambers’ selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Elite Trial Lawyers

Seeger Weiss has been honored with a nomination for the Plaintiffs Firm of the Year award by the National Law Journal, in its announcement of the 2023 Elite Trial Lawyers award finalists. The firm’s Mass Torts and Product Liability practices have also earned finalist spots in their respective categories, reflecting the outstanding performance of Seeger Weiss over the past year, as the firm spearheaded some of the most significant and groundbreaking litigations across the country. Seeger Weiss LLP had been a winner of the Product Liability category in 2022, being recognized for its exemplary performance and cutting-edge work.

The selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Lawdragon Leading Lawyers

Seeger Weiss LLP has regularly been recognized by the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers lists for consecutive years and is proud to announce that six of the firm’s partners — Chris Seeger, Stephen Weiss, David Buchanan, Shauna Itri, Matt Pawa, and Jennifer Scullion — were chosen by Lawdragon for its 2023 500 Leading Lawyers in America list. According to Lawdragon, this year’s group “made their impact as never before in the year just passed.” Co-founding partner Chris Seeger has appeared on the 500 Leading Lawyers in America list every year since 2007 and was named a “Lawdragon Legend” in 2016. Co-founding partner Stephen Weiss has appeared on the 500 Leading Lawyers in America list for the past consecutive five years.

The selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.