A mass tort is a legal action where multiple plaintiffs file individual lawsuits against one or more defendants for similar injuries caused by the same or related events. Unlike class action suits, mass torts maintain separate lawsuits for each plaintiff while addressing common issues of fact or law. This approach can be more complex than standard legal procedures.
Examples of mass torts include:
- Defective products
- Pharmaceutical injuries
- Environmental contamination
- Large-scale accidents (e.g., plane crashes, explosions)
- Consumer fraud
- Corporate misconduct
In mass tort proceedings, the court typically:
- Notifies potential claimants
- Allows individuals to join the action (“opt in”)
- Provides the option to decline participation (“opt out”)
Mass tort settlements often result in larger compensation amounts compared to individual personal injury claims, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per plaintiff.
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