# Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

> A legal procedure that consolidates similar civil cases from different federal districts before a single judge for pretrial proceedings.

**Category:** Legal Procedure
**Canonical URL:** https://drugsmonitor.com/glossary/mdl
**Last updated:** 2026-06-11

MDL is governed by 28 U.S.C. Section 1407 and is the most common framework for mass tort litigation in federal court. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) decides whether to centralize cases based on efficiency and convenience.

Unlike class actions, each plaintiff in an MDL retains their own individual case with separate discovery, damages, and settlement authority. After pretrial proceedings, cases may be remanded to their originating districts for trial or settled globally.

MDLs have been used for pharmaceutical litigation involving Vioxx, Zantac, opioid analgesics, and many other drug and device cases. The structure allows courts to manage thousands of related claims efficiently.

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*Glossary entry from DrugsMonitor.com.*