Some cases are too important, too complex, and too consequential to entrust to a firm that does not try cases. When a child is left with lifelong disabilities by a preventable birth injury, when an institution's failures allow a survivor to be abused, when a defective drug or medical device harms patients across the country, or when corporate fiduciaries quietly drain the retirement savings of thousands of workers, the people responsible are almost always large, well-funded organizations defended by some of the most experienced lawyers in the country. Holding them accountable requires a firm with the resources, the national reach, and the willingness to go to trial.
Gilman & Bedigian is that firm. We handle complex, high-stakes litigation against hospitals, healthcare systems, institutions, manufacturers, and corporations—matters involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, institutional and corporate accountability, and fiduciary misconduct. We are nationally recognized trial attorneys, and we have recovered more than $800 million for our clients. When the stakes are highest, we are ready.
Talk through your situation with us today, free and in confidence. Call 1-800-529-6162 (phones answered 24/7) or request a free, confidential consultation online. There is no fee unless we win your case.
What "National Litigation" Means—and Why It Is Different
National litigation refers to complex legal matters that reach beyond a single doctor's office or a single accident. These cases often involve harm caused on a large scale, defendants who operate across state lines, and legal and factual questions that demand specialized resources and experience. They are not ordinary cases, and they cannot be handled like ordinary cases.
Several features set complex national litigation apart:
The defendants are powerful. National litigation typically pits injured people against hospital systems, multinational pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, large institutions, and corporations—each with substantial insurance, in-house legal teams, and every incentive to fight. Standing up to these defendants requires a firm with the financial staying power to match them.
The cases are resource-intensive. Proving these cases often requires extensive investigation, voluminous records, and teams of expert witnesses—physicians, scientists, economists, life-care planners, and industry specialists. Complex litigation can take years and significant investment before it reaches resolution. Firms without resources cannot sustain it.
The procedures are specialized. Many national cases are litigated through mechanisms designed for large-scale disputes—multidistrict litigation (MDL), in which similar cases from across the country are consolidated for coordinated pretrial proceedings, and class actions, in which one or more plaintiffs represent a larger group. Understanding when and how to use these tools is itself a specialized skill.
Trial readiness changes everything. Institutional and corporate defendants settle fairly when—and often only when—they believe the firm across the table is genuinely prepared to try the case before a jury. A firm known for trying and winning difficult cases holds leverage that a settlement mill never will.
Gilman & Bedigian brings all of these capabilities to bear. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, and we are willing to take complex cases before a jury when that is what justice requires.
Our National Litigation Practice Areas
Our complex litigation practice spans several major areas. Each is introduced below, with a dedicated page that explores it in depth.
Birth Injury Litigation
Few injuries are more devastating—or more consequential over a lifetime—than a preventable birth injury. When negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery causes harm such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or a brachial plexus injury, a child may face a lifetime of medical needs, therapy, and care. These cases require proving complex obstetric and neonatal medicine and quantifying decades of future care.
We help families pursue the full measure of accountability and the resources their child will need for life. Learn more on our birth injury litigation page.
Sexual Abuse Litigation
Survivors of sexual abuse deserve to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity—and they deserve to hold accountable the institutions whose failures allowed the abuse to occur. Our sexual abuse litigation focuses on institutional accountability: schools, religious organizations, youth and sports programs, and other institutions that failed to screen, supervise, protect, or report.
We approach these cases with a trauma-informed, survivor-centered commitment to privacy and respect. Learn more on our sexual abuse litigation page.
Dangerous Drug Litigation
When pharmaceutical companies put profits ahead of patient safety—by failing to warn of known risks, downplaying adverse events, or marketing drugs that should never have reached the market in their form—patients pay the price. Dangerous drug litigation holds manufacturers accountable for the harm their products cause.
These cases often proceed as mass torts coordinated in multidistrict litigation. Learn more on our dangerous drugs litigation page.
Medical Device Litigation
Defective medical devices—from surgical mesh to joint replacements to cardiac devices—can fail inside patients' bodies, causing serious injury and requiring painful revision surgeries. When a device is defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed without adequate warnings, the manufacturer can be held accountable under product liability law.
We pursue device manufacturers on behalf of patients harmed by their products. Learn more on our medical device litigation page.
ERISA & 401(k) Litigation
Not all corporate misconduct causes physical injury. When the fiduciaries responsible for a company's retirement plan breach their duties—by allowing excessive fees, engaging in self-dealing, or imprudently managing plan investments—the result can be the quiet erosion of thousands of employees' retirement savings. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) gives plan participants powerful tools to hold those fiduciaries accountable.
Our ERISA practice represents participants in sophisticated, plaintiff-side retirement-plan litigation. Learn more on our ERISA & 401(k) litigation page.
Not sure which area fits your situation? It costs nothing to ask. Call 1-800-529-6162 or request a confidential consultation.
Catastrophic Injury Litigation
Many of the matters we handle involve catastrophic injuries—injuries so severe that they permanently alter the course of a person's life. These include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, amputations, severe burns, and other conditions that result in lasting disability and lifelong care needs.
Catastrophic injury cases are different from ordinary injury claims in both stakes and complexity. The losses are enormous and extend across a lifetime: future medical care, assistive technology, home modifications, attendant care, lost earning capacity, and the profound impact on a person's independence and quality of life. Proving the full extent of these losses requires life-care planners, medical experts, vocational experts, and economists who can translate a lifetime of needs into a concrete, defensible figure.
Because the future of an injured person or family often depends on the outcome, these cases must be built with care and tried with conviction. We have the experience and resources to do both.
Wrongful Death Litigation
When negligence or misconduct takes a life, surviving families are left to grieve while also confronting financial uncertainty and a justice system they never expected to navigate. Wrongful death litigation allows families to seek accountability and compensation for their loss.
Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, wrongful death and related survival claims may address the medical and funeral expenses incurred, the financial support the family has lost, the loss of the deceased's guidance and companionship, and the conscious pain and suffering the deceased endured. The specific damages available, and who may bring a claim, vary by state.
We handle wrongful death matters across our practice areas—birth injury, institutional abuse, dangerous drugs and devices, and catastrophic injury—always with sensitivity to what families are enduring and a commitment to securing the accountability they deserve.
Complex and Multi-State Litigation
When the same conduct harms people in many states—as is often the case with dangerous drugs, defective devices, and corporate misconduct—the litigation itself becomes complex. We are equipped to handle cases through the procedural mechanisms designed for large-scale disputes:
Multidistrict litigation (MDL). When numerous similar lawsuits are filed across the country, they may be consolidated before a single federal court for coordinated pretrial proceedings, including discovery and key rulings, before individual cases are resolved. MDLs allow efficient handling of common issues while preserving each plaintiff's individual case.
Class actions. In some matters—particularly financial and fiduciary cases such as ERISA litigation—a small number of representatives may pursue claims on behalf of a larger group who suffered the same harm.
Coordinated state proceedings. Some states have their own mechanisms for consolidating related cases, and litigation may proceed in parallel across multiple jurisdictions.
Navigating these structures requires experience and resources. We handle serious cases nationwide, working in cooperation with local counsel where appropriate, so that geography is never a barrier to holding a wrongdoer accountable.
Institutional Accountability
A theme that runs through much of our national litigation practice is institutional accountability—the principle that organizations, not just individuals, can and should be held responsible for harm they enable.
Time and again, serious harm traces back not to a single bad actor but to an institution that had the power to prevent it and failed: a hospital that operated with dangerous staffing, a school or youth organization that ignored warning signs or failed to report, a care facility that looked the other way. Institutions can be held responsible through legal theories such as negligent hiring, supervision, and retention; failure to protect; failure to report; and, in some cases, responsibility for the conduct of their employees and agents.
Reaching the institution matters. It is often the only way to secure meaningful accountability, to access the resources needed to make a survivor or family whole, and to drive the systemic changes that protect others. Exposing what an institution knew, and when, is central to the work we do.
Corporate Accountability
Closely related is corporate accountability—holding manufacturers and corporations responsible when they place profits ahead of safety. Whether it is a pharmaceutical company that buried unfavorable data, a device maker that sold a defective product, a hospitality company that ignored clear dangers, or a plan fiduciary that enriched itself at participants' expense, corporations that cause harm should answer for it.
Corporate defendants are formidable. They are well-funded, well-represented, and adept at delay. Holding them accountable requires a firm willing to invest in the fight—to retain the experts, conduct the discovery, and prepare the case for trial. It also requires a willingness to take a corporation to court rather than accept an inadequate settlement. That willingness is part of who we are.
If a corporation or institution's conduct harmed you or someone you love, let us review your case at no cost. Call 1-800-529-6162 or contact us online.
How Complex Litigation Works
While every matter is different, complex national litigation generally moves through several phases, and understanding them can help demystify the process.
Investigation and case evaluation. We begin by listening to your story and reviewing the available facts. We obtain and analyze records, identify the responsible parties, and consult qualified experts to evaluate whether the conduct fell below applicable standards and caused the harm.
Building the case. If we move forward, we develop the evidence—through medical and scientific analysis, expert opinions, and, where applicable, the discovery process that compels institutions and corporations to produce documents and answer questions under oath. In drug, device, and corporate cases, internal company records often reveal what a defendant knew and when.
Quantifying the harm. In catastrophic and birth injury cases especially, we work with life-care planners and economists to document the full scope of past and future losses—a critical step in securing a result that actually meets a family's lifelong needs.
Resolution. Many cases resolve through settlement, but only when the defendant is convinced we are prepared to try the case. When a fair resolution cannot be reached, we are ready to present the case to a jury.
Throughout, we keep you informed and carry the burden of the litigation so that you can focus on your life, your family, and your recovery.
Damages in National Litigation
The compensation available in complex litigation reflects the seriousness of the harm and, in many cases, must account for a lifetime of consequences. Depending on the matter, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including lifelong care in catastrophic and birth injury cases.
- Life-care costs, such as therapy, assistive technology, home modifications, and attendant care.
- Lost income and lost or diminished earning capacity.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and support for families.
- Wrongful death damages, where a life has been lost.
- Restoration of financial losses, in fiduciary and retirement-plan cases.
- Punitive damages, in certain cases involving especially egregious or reckless conduct.
Some jurisdictions limit certain categories of damages or impose special procedural requirements. We will explain how the law in the relevant jurisdiction applies to your situation.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Complex Litigation
Complex national litigation is, in many ways, a contest of evidence and expertise—and the right experts are often decisive. Unlike a routine case, these matters frequently rise or fall on highly technical questions that a jury can only resolve with credible expert guidance. We work with a deep bench of qualified experts, retained according to the demands of each case, including:
- Medical and scientific experts — physicians, specialists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and engineers who can establish how an injury occurred, whether a product or practice was unreasonably dangerous, and whether a defendant's conduct fell below accepted standards.
- Life-care planners — specialists who project, in granular detail, the lifetime of care an injured person will require, from therapy and equipment to attendant care and home modifications. Their work is essential in catastrophic injury and birth injury cases.
- Forensic economists — who translate future losses, medical needs, and diminished earning capacity into present-day values that a settlement or verdict must account for.
- Vocational experts — who assess how an injury has affected a person's ability to work and earn.
- Industry and regulatory experts — who explain a manufacturer's obligations, a fiduciary's duties, or an institution's safety standards, and how a defendant failed to meet them.
Retaining and effectively presenting these experts requires both resources and judgment. Building a case that can withstand the scrutiny of a well-funded defense—and persuade a jury—is precisely the work our firm is built to do.
What Sets Our National Litigation Practice Apart
Many firms advertise that they handle serious cases. Far fewer have the combination of qualities that complex national litigation actually requires. What distinguishes our practice is straightforward:
We try cases. We are not a settlement mill. We prepare every matter for trial, and we have a record of taking powerful institutions before juries and winning. That willingness changes the calculus for defendants and, in turn, the value of our clients' cases.
We have the financial staying power. Complex litigation is expensive and can take years. We advance the substantial costs these cases require—experts, investigation, and discovery—so that our clients can pursue justice without financial barriers and without settling early out of necessity.
We bring focus and experience. Our practice centers on catastrophic injury and complex litigation against institutions and corporations. This is what we do, and our results reflect a sustained commitment to this work.
We never lose sight of the client. Behind every case is a person or family facing something life-altering. We pair the capabilities of a national litigation practice with the attentiveness, compassion, and responsiveness that people in difficult circumstances deserve.
If you are weighing whether your situation merits this kind of representation, let us help you assess it—at no cost. Call 1-800-529-6162 or request a confidential consultation.
Why Clients Trust Gilman & Bedigian
Complex national litigation is not for every firm. It demands experience, resources, national reach, and the genuine willingness to try a case. Clients choose Gilman & Bedigian because we bring all of these—and because of how we treat the people we represent.
We are a team of experienced trial attorneys, founded by Charles Gilman and Briggs Bedigian, who focus on catastrophic injury and complex litigation against institutions and corporations. We have recovered more than $800 million for our clients, including some of the largest medical malpractice and birth injury verdicts in Maryland and Pennsylvania history—among them a $182 million verdict (the largest medical malpractice verdict in Pennsylvania history) and a $55 million verdict against Johns Hopkins Hospital. These results reflect our willingness and ability to take the most powerful institutions to trial and win. Our work has been recognized by the American Association for Justice, Super Lawyers, and an A-rating from the Better Business Bureau, and we have been featured by ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
We also never lose sight of the people behind these cases—the families, survivors, patients, and workers who trusted us with something that matters profoundly. We treat them with compassion and respect, explain everything in plain language, and return calls promptly. With offices in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, we handle serious cases nationwide in cooperation with local counsel. And because we work on a contingency-fee basis, there is no fee unless we win your case.
Speak directly with an experienced trial attorney today. Call 1-800-529-6162 (answered 24/7) or request a free, confidential consultation. You can also review our verdicts and settlements and learn about our attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions About National Litigation
What is the difference between national litigation and an ordinary injury case?
National or complex litigation typically involves powerful institutional or corporate defendants, large-scale or catastrophic harm, specialized procedures such as multidistrict litigation or class actions, and the need for extensive expert resources. These cases require a firm with the financial staying power and trial experience to take on well-funded opponents.
What is multidistrict litigation (MDL)?
MDL is a procedure in which numerous similar lawsuits filed across the country are consolidated before a single federal court for coordinated pretrial proceedings. It allows common issues to be handled efficiently while preserving each plaintiff's individual case. Many dangerous drug and medical device matters proceed this way.
Do you handle cases outside of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas?
Yes. While our offices are in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, we handle serious cases nationwide, working in cooperation with local counsel where appropriate. Geography should not prevent a person from holding a wrongdoer accountable.
How are these cases paid for?
We handle our cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no upfront costs to you, and you owe no attorney's fee unless we win your case. We advance the substantial costs that complex litigation requires—experts, investigation, and discovery—so that you can pursue your claim without financial barriers.
How long do complex litigation cases take?
Complex cases can take time—often a year or more, and sometimes several years—because they involve extensive discovery, expert development, and well-resourced defendants. We work to move cases efficiently while building them thoroughly, because a case worth bringing is worth building right.
Will my case settle or go to trial?
Many cases resolve through settlement, but the best settlements come from being genuinely prepared for trial. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, and we are willing to take a case before a jury when a fair resolution cannot be reached.
How do I know if I have a case?
The best way to find out is to speak with us. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we will review your situation honestly and tell you whether we believe we can help—and if we can't, we will try to point you in the right direction.
Is there a deadline to file?
Yes. Every type of claim is subject to a statute of limitations, and the deadlines vary by claim type and jurisdiction—and can be shorter when a government entity is involved. Because missing a deadline can permanently bar a claim, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
What does it cost to have you evaluate my case?
Nothing. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we handle cases on a contingency-fee basis—there is no fee unless we win. We also advance the substantial costs that complex litigation requires, so you are never asked to fund experts or investigation out of pocket.
Can I join a case that is already underway, such as an existing MDL or class action?
Often, yes. If your situation arises from the same conduct or product at issue in an existing multidistrict litigation or class action, you may be able to pursue your own claim within that framework. We evaluate whether an existing or emerging proceeding fits your circumstances—or whether an individual case is the better path.
Will I have to travel or appear in court?
Most of the work in complex litigation happens outside the courtroom, and we handle the vast majority of it on your behalf. Whether and when you would need to participate—for example, in a deposition—depends on the case, and we prepare and support our clients fully at every step.
When the Stakes Are Highest, Experience Matters
The matters handled in our national litigation practice are among the most consequential a person or family can face. They involve lifelong injuries, profound losses, and powerful opponents. They are exactly the cases that demand a firm with the experience, the resources, and the resolve to see them through to the end.
Gilman & Bedigian is here to help. We will listen, evaluate your situation honestly, and tell you how we can help. There is no cost to begin, no obligation, and no pressure—just experienced trial attorneys ready to stand with you.
Speak With a National Litigation Attorney Today
- Free, confidential consultation
- Experienced trial attorneys who take on institutions and corporations
- Nationwide representation in cooperation with local counsel
- No fee unless we win your case
If you or someone you love has been harmed by an institution or corporation, contact Gilman & Bedigian. Call 1-800-529-6162 (answered 24/7) or request your free, confidential consultation.
