Multidistrict Litigation Process

Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) is a legal process used to streamline complex cases that involve multiple lawsuits with common questions of fact, often stemming from the same issue, like product defects or mass torts. Instead of each case being heard separately in different courts, an MDL consolidates them into one court for pretrial proceedings. This helps save time and resources by allowing for coordinated discovery, hearings, and rulings. After the pretrial phase, cases may be sent back to their original courts for trial, ensuring efficiency and consistent outcomes across similar cases.