# What is a mass tort?

> How mass tort litigation differs from class actions, why claims group in MDLs, and what this means for pharmaceutical injury cases. Educational overview—not legal advice.

**Canonical URL:** https://drugsmonitor.com/guides/what-is-a-mass-tort
**Last updated:** 2026-06-11

A mass tort is a type of civil action where many people have similar injuries from the same drug, device, or exposure, but each person's damages are unique. Courts often consolidate these cases for pretrial efficiency while preserving individual claims.

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) centralizes discovery and motions before one judge. Bellwether trials test how juries respond to evidence; outcomes can inform settlement values for other plaintiffs.

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*Educational guide from DrugsMonitor.com. Not legal advice.*