How does a mass tort lawsuit work, step by step?

Published by: Mason ArnaoUpdated: November 13, 2026Filed under: Mass Tort Lawsuit FAQsPurpose: educational information, not legal advice

Short answer: Individual lawsuits are filed against the same company, often consolidated before one federal judge in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), tested in early bellwether trials, and then frequently resolved through a settlement program. Each person keeps an individual claim.

The usual stages

Filing and consolidation (JPML transfer).
Shared discovery and expert rulings.
Bellwether trials.
Settlement or remand for trial.

Sources28 U.S.C. § 1407Cornell LII JPML report2 Nov 2026

Checked against primary sources on November 12, 2026 by Mason Arnao. This is general information, not legal advice. Related: What a mass tort is.

Your deadline runs even while an MDL is pending

Joining a mass tort still requires filing your own case on time. State statutes of limitations usually keep running while bellwether trials and settlement talks go on.

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About Michael Laurier-Gerard

Michael Laurier-Gerard Michael Laurier-Gerard is a Canadian entrepreneur, technology executive, and marketing strategist with over two decades of experience in digital marketing, technology, and product development. He is the President & CEO of UAR Global Holdings and the Founder of its sister company, BOOM! Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in web design, SEO, and AI-driven marketing automation. Early in his career, Michael served as a Product and Marketing Advisor to eBay under the guidance of Jordan Sweetnam, Chief Commercial Officer, working with the company’s Global Markets, Payments, and Product teams. Between 2001 and 2007, he also advised startups and established companies, including CraveTV, FullScript (then Healthwave), Rogers, AT&T, and the Government of Canada, helping them scale products, optimize marketing strategies, and refine operational workflows. He is the Chief Marketing Officer at Waypoint Software, where he partners with the company to provide marketing and infrastructure solutions for a variety of co-owned products and assets. Additionally, he is the Co-Founder, SVP & Chief Technology Officer of Tort Advisor and Legal Lawsuit, leading technology strategy, platform development, and automation initiatives across both ventures. Michael combines technical expertise with strategic vision, developing platforms and marketing systems engineered for performance, scalability, and measurable outcomes. Through UAR Global Holdings, he manages multiple ventures that integrate design, analytics, and technology, positioning each company at the forefront of digital innovation. Based in Ottawa, Canada, he continues to lead initiatives that unify marketing, technology, and automation to create high-performing digital ecosystems for businesses across industries.