Users of social media products like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube/Google began filing lawsuits against social media companies last summer because social media addiction has caused a mental health crisis among our youth. Our Social Media Litigation Team, led by Joseph VanZandt, is honored to stand with brave clients against these companies.
Joseph’s leadership in the litigation has expanded beyond our firm’s efforts. On Feb. 28, Judge Carolyn Kuhl, who is overseeing social media lawsuits in California state court, appointed Joseph as co-lead counsel of the Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding (JCCP) for the plaintiffs. The JCCP is similar to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in that similar cases are combined under the management of one court – in this case, a California state court.
Additionally, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers appointed Joseph to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee Leadership for the federal Social Media MDL consolidated in the Northern District of California, Oakland.
Joseph is from our Montgomery office and works in our Mass Torts Section, representing parents and youth against e-cigarette and social media companies. He brings broad leadership experience to the litigation after serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the national JUUL MDL. Joseph helped lead the JUUL litigation to a favorable outcome for plaintiffs, reaching four global settlements with some defendants to date. He also helped lead the teams selecting cases for bellwether trials in national JUUL and Xarelto MDLs.
About Social Media Litigation
The social media lawsuits accuse the companies of knowingly taking advantage of young people to increase the companies’ profits. The plaintiffs also allege that the defendant companies failed to protect young users who are more likely to develop unhealthy behaviors and mental illness due to the content and marketing tactics used on social media.
The firm’s Social Media Litigation Team desires to help our clients and others struggling with injuries caused by social media use. If you or a loved one is struggling with injuries, including social media compulsion, disordered eating, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, multiple periods of suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, self-harm, and a reduced desire or ability to sleep due to social media addiction, we can help seek justice for these injuries. We have the experience and resources to represent clients nationwide in social media litigation while never losing sight of the individual. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
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Joseph VanZandtPrincipalMontgomery, AL
