There are several reasons why cases may be consolidated under an MDL. The most common reason is that the cases involve common defendants and common issues of fact. This allows for greater efficiency in the litigation process, as the parties only have to litigate the common issues once.
Additionally, MDLs may be used to consolidate cases filed in different districts but involving common law issues. This allows for a more uniform interpretation of the law and can avoid conflicting decisions.MDLs are typically used in mass tort cases, where many plaintiffs have been injured by the same product or course of conduct. By consolidating the cases, the MDL judge can manage the cases more efficiently and avoid duplication of effort. The MDL system is commonly used in class action cases, where many plaintiffs have similar claims against a defendant. In these cases, the MDL judge can oversee pretrial proceedings and discovery for the entire class, rather than having each plaintiff litigate their individual lawsuits.
If you have been injured by a defective product or feel you have been the victim of an ongoing mass tort case, you may be able to participate in an MDL. These cases can be complex, and it is important that you are represented by a legal team that understands the underpinnings of the MDL system.
Some types of cases that are tried under MDL include:
Dangerous medicines, defective medical devices, and other product liability claims
Airplane crashes Securities fraud
Intellectual property infringement Employment discrimination More recently, MDL has been used in several high-profile injury cases, including: Roundup cancer class action Hernia mesh injury Mesothelioma injury caused by asbestos