Mass Tort
A type of large-scale lawsuit where many people harmed by the same product, drug, or event sue together but keep their own individual claims.
Official source: uscourts.gov
## Common types
Most mass tort cases involve defective drugs, medical devices, toxic exposures, or unsafe consumer products.
## How it differs from a class action
- Each plaintiff in a mass tort keeps an individual case with their own damages. Settlements are not the same for everyone. - Multi-District Litigation (MDL) is a federal procedure that puts related cases before one judge for pretrial efficiency, while preserving individual claims. - Bellwether trials are a small set of representative cases tried first to help set settlement ranges for the broader MDL. - Most mass tort attorneys work on contingency, meaning no upfront fees and the attorney receives a percentage of any settlement.
## How BenefitKarma can help
Try the Mass Tort Match Screener to see if your situation may fit an active case.
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Frequently asked questions about Mass Tort
Is a mass tort the same as a class action?+
No. In a class action everyone shares one outcome and one damages calculation. In a mass tort each person keeps their own case and their own damages.
Will I have to pay anything up front?+
Most mass tort attorneys work on contingency. They are paid a percentage of the recovery only if you win or settle, and you usually owe nothing up front.
Source: uscourts.gov