Mass tort litigation often involves thousands of plaintiffs across multiple states, which can create challenges in consistency and efficiency. To address this, courts frequently consolidate cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL).
MDL is a federal process where similar cases are transferred to one court for pretrial proceedings. Unlike a class action, each plaintiff maintains an individual case and settlement amount. The goal is to streamline discovery, reduce conflicting rulings, and encourage settlement discussions.
Plaintiffs in MDL benefit from shared evidence, reduced legal expenses, and the strength of collective bargaining. This is especially important in cases against large pharmaceutical companies or manufacturers with extensive resources.
One major challenge is the “bellwether trial” system, where a few representative cases are tried first to gauge jury responses. While these outcomes often influence settlement negotiations, they may not reflect every plaintiff’s circumstances. Additionally, MDL can take years to resolve, and plaintiffs must be patient through lengthy legal processes.
Because MDL cases involve complex legal strategy, victims should work with attorneys experienced in federal litigation. A skilled lawyer ensures that individual damages are not overlooked in the broader negotiation process.