Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Christopher M. "Chris" Placitella
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2001 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Christopher M. Placitella is a shareholder in the law firm and an accomplished trial lawyer with a nationwide reputation as one of the country's leading legal authorities on mass tort, class actions, and asbestos-related diseases. He represents individuals injured by defective products and drugs, toxic substances, and environmental damage.
Mr. Placitella is dedicated to working on behalf of victims of corporate misconduct, and this dedication has helped shape the direction of the firm and its values. A problem-solver by nature, he has devoted his career to helping change people's lives and obtaining justice for his clients.
Mr. Placitella has developed an award-winning reputation for his commitment to those who have been harmed due to the wrongful conduct of others. His professional integrity and personal commitment to his clients and his community have provided him with local, regional and national recognition for his work and service. He is continuously recognized by his peers for his contribution to mass tort litigation.
As a member of the plaintiffs' bar, Mr. Placitella is known for helping to establish a national asbestos litigation group dedicated to successfully and effectively representing individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases and their families.
Mr. Placitella is dedicated to working on behalf of victims of corporate misconduct, and this dedication has helped shape the direction of the firm and its values. A problem-solver by nature, he has devoted his career to helping change people's lives and obtaining justice for his clients.
Mr. Placitella has developed an award-winning reputation for his commitment to those who have been harmed due to the wrongful conduct of others. His professional integrity and personal commitment to his clients and his community have provided him with local, regional and national recognition for his work and service. He is continuously recognized by his peers for his contribution to mass tort litigation.
As a member of the plaintiffs' bar, Mr. Placitella is known for helping to establish a national asbestos litigation group dedicated to successfully and effectively representing individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases and their families.
Overview
- Syracuse University, J.D., graduated 1981
- Syracuse University, graduated 1981
- Fordham University, BS, graduated 1978
- New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association
- New York, New York State Bar Association
- Consumers for Civil Justice - Member
- Leaders Forum American Association for Justice - Member
- New Jersey Association for Justice - Former Chair
- New Jersey Trial Lawyers (now NJAJ), - Former President (2001-2002)
- The Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice - Member
- New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association
- New York, New York State Bar Association
- Consumers for Civil Justice - Member
- Leaders Forum American Association for Justice - Member
- New Jersey Association for Justice - Former Chair
- New Jersey Trial Lawyers (now NJAJ), - Former President (2001-2002)
- The Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice - Member
- Syracuse University, J.D., graduated 1981
- Syracuse University, graduated 1981
- Fordham University, BS, graduated 1978
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2025)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2023)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2020)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2018)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2016)
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Woodbridge (2014)
- Mass Tort Litigation, Philadelphia (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Mass Tort Litigation
- Personal Injury Litigation
Special Focus:
- Mass Tort
- Occupational Disease
- Toxic Tort
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Member of Steering Committee, Multi-District Asbestos Litigation;
Member of Steering Committee, Multi-District Asbestos Litigation;
- Served as key member of the legal team representing the State of New Jersey against the tobacco industry and helped achieve the largest settlement in the history of New Jersey, totaling $7.6 billion dollars;
Served as key member of the legal team representing the State of New Jersey against the tobacco industry and helped achieve the largest settlement in the history of New Jersey, totaling $7.6 billion dollars;
- Mr. Placitella assisted in negotiating what is believed to be the largest settlement in the nation involving a single company in a product liability case involving the diet drugs Pondimin® and Redux® – a $3.75 billion-dollar settlement;
Mr. Placitella assisted in negotiating what is believed to be the largest settlement in the nation involving a single company in a product liability case involving the diet drugs Pondimin® and Redux® – a $3.75 billion-dollar settlement;
- rial counsel in the largest consolidated asbestos trial in New York City history, and also obtained the largest punitive damage verdict against an asbestos company in New Jersey's history;
rial counsel in the largest consolidated asbestos trial in New York City history, and also obtained the largest punitive damage verdict against an asbestos company in New Jersey's history;
- As part of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, helped organize national pro bono effort to provide free legal assistance for families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy.
As part of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, helped organize national pro bono effort to provide free legal assistance for families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 tragedy.
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