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From Personal Injury to Mass Torts: Exposing Infant Formula Dangers

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Jose RojasJose Rojas is the Founding Partner and Trial Attorney at Ventura Law and Levin, Rojas, Camassar & Reck, LLC. He is a Connecticut-based lawyer focused on personal injury, medical malpractice, and mass tort litigation. His firms represent individuals harmed by negligence, defective products, and corporate misconduct, which include complex nationwide cases. Jose helped develop influential litigation involving infant formula risks, contributing to one of the country’s most significant mass tort efforts. He previously served as a US Army JAG officer and as a federal prosecutor before dedicating his career to advocating for injured clients

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:36] Jose Rojas shares his upbringing in Madrid and his journey into the US legal system
  • [4:00] Jose outlines building a dual practice involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and mass torts
  • [9:21] Serving diverse Latino communities in Connecticut and forming cultural connections
  • [17:41] How infant formula litigation began with a mother’s tragic story
  • [20:19] Jose explains necrotizing enterocolitis and the risks to premature infants
  • [23:20] Why the infant formula case evolved from malpractice into nationwide mass tort litigation
  • [30:11] Legal battles: learned intermediary doctrine and manufacturer defenses
  • [33:01] Jose discusses industry influences on doctors and medical education
  • [41:13] How Jose helped drive changes in hospital practices nationwide
  • [47:12] Challenges in mass tort leadership and pushing for diversity in law
  • [57:17] “Juntos podemos” — community impact and legacy

In this episode…

Some of the most meaningful changes in society don’t begin with large institutions — they start with a single story being taken seriously. In complex systems like healthcare, it can be difficult to question long-standing practices, even when the stakes are life and death. What happens when someone decides to dig deeper instead of dismissing the unlikely?

The answer begins with a lawyer willing to listen. Jose Rojas, a trial attorney specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, and mass torts, shares how one case uncovered systemic risks tied to infant formula use in premature babies. Jose highlights the importance of trusting clients, thoroughly investigating claims, and challenging accepted norms. His insights emphasize that real impact comes from combining empathy with persistence and being open to what others overlook.

In this episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez talks with Jose Rojas, Founding Partner and Trial Attorney at Ventura Law and Levin, Rojas, Komisar & Reck, about uncovering infant formula risks. Jose discusses how the case began, why it evolved into mass tort litigation, and how it’s changing hospital practices. He also touches on diversity in law and mentoring future attorneys.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

  • “It is a brutal, brutal disease that results in death about a third of the time.”
  • “We have enough donor milk for every premature infant in the country.”
  • “We represent over a thousand clients for necrotizing enterocolitis.”
  • “I think it is now actually a rarity…for formula to be fed to premature infants under 1,500 grams.”
  • “We owe it to our community…to at least try to peel the onion, you know?”

Action Steps:

  1. Investigate every client story thoroughly: Taking time to dig deeper can uncover larger systemic issues hidden beneath individual cases. This approach can lead to meaningful impact beyond a single client and reveal opportunities for broader change.
  2. Challenge accepted industry norms: Questioning long-standing practices can expose risks that others overlook or ignore. This mindset is critical for innovation and protecting vulnerable populations from preventable harm.
  3. Prioritize empathy in the legal practice: Listening closely to clients builds trust and uncovers key details that might otherwise be missed. Empathy strengthens advocacy and leads to more effective representation.
  4. Stay informed on evolving research and data: Keeping up with medical and scientific studies ensures decisions are based on the latest evidence. This helps professionals make stronger arguments and avoid relying on outdated assumptions.
  5. Advocate for systemic change, not just individual wins: Focusing on a broader impact can improve outcomes for entire communities, not just one case. This mindset transforms legal work into lasting societal progress.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.

Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.

With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.

For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.

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