People often use the terms mass tort and class action interchangeably. In reality, they are very different legal tools, and the difference matters greatly for injured individuals.

Understanding how these cases work can help explain why mass tort litigation is often the better option for people who have suffered serious harm.

What Is a Mass Tort?

A mass tort involves many individual lawsuits filed against one or more defendants for similar misconduct—such as a dangerous drug, defective medical device, or toxic exposure.

Each injured person:

• Has their own case
• Presents individual evidence
• Receives compensation based on their specific injuries and damages

Cases may be coordinated in state court or federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), but they remain individual claims.

How Class Actions Are Different

In a class action:

• One or a few plaintiffs represent a large group
• All class members are treated as a single entity
• Compensation is typically divided evenly or by formula

Class actions are often used for economic losses (such as small financial damages), not serious personal injuries.

Why Mass Torts Are Often Better for Injury Victims

Mass torts allow:

• Individualized compensation
• Full consideration of medical history and long-term harm
• Separate settlement or trial outcomes

For people with serious or permanent injuries, this individualized approach is critical. Mass tort litigation allows related cases to move forward together without losing sight of individual harm. Compensation decisions are based on each person’s injuries, not a one-size-fits-all approach. To learn whether a mass tort claim may apply to you, contact Gunn | Slater for a clear and informed case evaluation.