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Jan Dils
A federal court recently denied an attempt to form a multi-district litigation (MDL) involving video game addiction lawsuits. Attorneys, though, are still making efforts to hold the game developers accountable for addiction despite this setback. Our personal injury attorneys can explain further.
The basis for these lawsuits is the addictive features in certain video games that are designed to keep people playing. Things like in-game purchases, which are also called microtransactions, and “loot boxes,” which are randomized rewards that operate like a slot machine, encourage game time but can have a detrimental effect on players’ mental and physical health, especially in young people.
Internet Gaming Disorder is a recognized mental health issue that stems from the inability to stop playing video games. This habit can interfere with school, work, and real-life social interactions, and those who are affected may experience anxiety, depression, and isolation in addition to poor physical health from the lack of exercise.
The potential MDL cases allege that video game publishers and developers, including Microsoft and Activision Blizzard, are intentionally designing their games, such as Minecraft and Fortnite, to be addictive while completely disregarding the negative consequences.
When there are several individual lawsuits in different locations with a similar underlying issue, they can be consolidated into one federal court proceeding, called an MDL. This can ease the burden on the courts and allow for a more efficient handling of complex cases.
This may sound like a class action, but it is not quite the same. In a class action, all plaintiffs are lumped together in a single group, with one person designated as the class representative. The issues common to all members of the class are handled in one case, and the result applies to everyone.
An MDL, on the other hand, keeps all the individual cases separate and only deals with the procedural aspects. Each plaintiff can achieve an outcome that is unique to their situation, instead of being forced to split a settlement or verdict equally among a class of hundreds or even thousands of other plaintiffs.
If you believe that your teenager is showing some or all of the behaviors associated with Internet Gaming Disorder, come and talk to one of our lawyers at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law about taking legal action. You may be able to file your own claim while we continue to monitor the progress of a new MDL.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
