Is a Mass Tort the Same as a Class Action Lawsuit?
No. Mass torts and class action lawsuits are similar in some ways. They both arise when one party harms numerous others. In both cases, the type of harm plaintiffs sustain may be similar.
However, in a class action lawsuit, a single case covers all plaintiffs. This affects how much compensation an individual plaintiff may receive. When a case is resolved, and a settlement is offered or a jury awards damages, each plaintiff receives a share of the compensation.
A mass tort is different. When you file a mass tort suit, your lawsuit is separate from all others. Thus, you don’t need to share your compensation with other plaintiffs.