What is an MDL (multidistrict litigation)?

Short answer: An MDL, or multidistrict litigation, is a federal procedure that sends similar lawsuits filed across the country to one judge for shared pretrial work such as discovery and expert rulings. It is set up by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation under 28 U.S.C. § 1407. On November 2, 2026, 204,987 actions were pending in 164 MDLs.

Each case stays an individual lawsuit. The statute allows transfer only for pretrial proceedings, and any case not resolved is to be sent back (remanded) to the court where it was filed for trial. In practice most product cases resolve in the MDL through rulings, bellwether trials or a settlement program.

  • Examples now: talc MDL 2738 (69,376 pending), AFFF MDL 2873 (15,270), hair relaxer MDL 3060 (12,743), Depo-Provera MDL 3140 (6,413), GLP-1 MDL 3094 (4,082).
  • Not a class action: no one represents you automatically; you file your own case.
  • State courts often run parallel coordinated proceedings for the same products.

See how a mass tort differs from a class action, or start a free, confidential case review.

Sources28 U.S.C. § 1407Cornell LIIJPML report2 Nov 2026

Checked against primary sources on November 13, 2026 by Mason Arnao. This is general information, not legal advice. Related: What is a bellwether trial.

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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Mason Arnao

About Mason Arnao

Mason David Arnao Mason David Arnao is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and business executive based in Stuart, Florida. His career spans more than two decades in technology, automation, and lead generation systems. Arnao began his professional journey in the late 1990s as a computer technician for the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was responsible for linking scoreboards, officials’ laptops, and stat monitors to broadcast networks. His technical precision and systems knowledge led him to join Professional Hospital Supply as a software engineer. There, he developed applications that improved data flow between medical suppliers and healthcare institutions, solidifying his foundation in enterprise-grade software development. By the early 2000's, Arnao advanced into web and SaaS infrastructure through Website Buddy LLC, a Florida-based development firm focused on building web tools for small businesses and online marketers. The experience refined his understanding of user-driven software and scalable online systems. In 2013, Arnao founded Waypoint Software, LLC, headquartered in Stuart, Florida. As President and Managing Partner, he built the company into a recognized provider of lead generation and real-time lead distribution technology. Waypoint’s software automates the acquisition, validation, and routing of consumer inquiries for marketing firms and data aggregators worldwide. The company serves hundreds of clients and is listed by the Better Business Bureau under “Sales Lead Generation.” Through Waypoint Software, Arnao has become a notable figure in the digital lead industry, combining technical engineering with automation strategy. His focus on system reliability, transparent data flow, and scalable integrations continues to position Waypoint as an industry leader in real-time lead management solutions.