# What MDL consolidation means for plaintiffs

> How cases are transferred to multidistrict litigation and what it means for your individual lawsuit.

**Canonical URL:** https://drugsmonitor.com/guides/what-is-mdl-consolidation
**Last updated:** 2026-06-11

When similar cases are filed in multiple federal districts, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) can transfer them to a single judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings. This is called MDL consolidation.

Your case retains its individual identity in an MDL. You are not a class member; you are a separate plaintiff with your own discovery, settlement authority, and trial date if the case does not settle globally.

MDL consolidation makes litigation more efficient by avoiding duplicative discovery, inconsistent rulings, and conflicting schedules. But it also means you will typically follow the MDL timeline rather than controlling your own case schedule.

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