Mass Tort Litigation
/ˈmæs tɔrt ˌlɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) A type of civil litigation involving numerous plaintiffs bringing claims against one or a small number of defendants for large-scale harms from common causes or products.
Mass tort litigation often addresses injuries caused by defective drugs or environmental disasters.
- (n.) A procedural mechanism that consolidates many individual claims into coordinated proceedings to efficiently resolve complex, multi-party cases.
The court used mass tort litigation procedures to manage thousands of related claims in a single framework.
Forms
- mass tort litigation
- mass tort litigations
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Mass tort litigation is distinct from class actions in that each plaintiff typically maintains an individual claim with distinct damages, though cases are coordinated to improve efficiency; drafting should clarify both the commonality of issues and the individualized nature of claims.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.