Mass tort litigation lets many people who were harmed by the same product, chemical or corporate practice bring their own claims, often grouped in one court for efficiency. In 2025, three areas drew particular attention: PFAS “forever chemicals,” social media platforms accused of harming young users, and defective medical devices. If you believe you were harmed in one of these ways, the key questions are whether your injury fits the litigation and whether you are still within Georgia’s filing deadlines.
This guide explains how mass torts work, what the major cases involve, the benefits and challenges of joining one and the steps to take if you think you have a claim.
Key Takeaways
- In a mass tort, each person keeps an individual claim and damages are based on that person’s own injuries, unlike a class action where one case represents a whole group.
- Federal courts often consolidate similar cases for pretrial proceedings in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) under 28 U.S.C. § 1407.
- PFAS firefighting foam cases (MDL No. 2873), social media adolescent addiction cases (MDL No. 3047) and the Philips CPAP recall cases (MDL No. 3014) were among the most closely watched.
- Georgia’s two-year injury deadline (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) and the 10-year product liability limit (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11) can bar claims, though some exceptions apply.
- Keep medical records, product information and proof of exposure, and get advice early.
What Is Mass Tort Litigation?
A mass tort involves many plaintiffs who file lawsuits against one or more defendants for similar harm, such as injuries from the same drug, device or chemical. Each case stays separate, so a person with severe injuries is not locked into the same result as someone with minor ones.
When many similar federal cases are filed around the country, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation can transfer them to one judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 1407. That judge handles shared issues such as document discovery and expert testimony, and often oversees a few early “bellwether” trials that help both sides gauge how juries view the evidence. Cases that do not settle can be sent back to their original courts for trial.
A class action is different. One or a few representatives sue on behalf of a large group, and everyone in the class is generally bound by the outcome unless they opt out.
Major Mass Tort Areas in 2025
PFAS and Firefighting Foam
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals used in products such as nonstick coatings, water-resistant fabrics and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used to fight fuel fires. Thousands of cases involving AFFF are consolidated in federal court in South Carolina (MDL No. 2873).
Public water systems reached major settlements in that litigation, including a 3M settlement announced in 2023 of about $10.3 billion and a DuPont, Chemours and Corteva settlement of about $1.185 billion. Those settlements resolved water system claims, not personal injury claims. Individuals, including firefighters and people who lived near contaminated sites, have filed separate personal injury claims alleging illnesses linked to exposure.
Social Media and Young Users
Families, school districts and state attorneys general have sued the companies behind several major social media platforms, alleging that the platforms were designed in ways that encourage compulsive use by children and teens and contributed to mental health harms. Federal cases are consolidated in the Northern District of California (MDL No. 3047), with related cases coordinated in California state court. These are allegations, and the companies deny them.
Defective Medical Devices
Medical device cases often claim that a manufacturer sold a device with a design or manufacturing defect, or failed to warn doctors and patients about known risks. A leading example is the Philips recall of certain CPAP and BiPAP breathing machines in 2021. Personal injury cases were consolidated in MDL No. 3014, and in April 2024 Philips agreed to a settlement of about $1.1 billion to resolve many personal injury claims.
Benefits and Challenges of Mass Tort Cases
Benefits
- Individual damages. Your recovery reflects your own injuries and losses.
- Shared resources. Coordinated discovery and expert work can make it practical to take on large corporations.
- Public accountability. Litigation can bring internal company documents and safety issues to light.
Challenges
- Long timelines. Mass torts can take years to resolve.
- Proving causation. Linking a specific illness to a specific exposure or product often requires strong medical and scientific evidence.
- Costs. Many injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, but case expenses such as expert fees can affect your net recovery, so ask how they are handled.
- Strict deadlines. Waiting for a settlement announcement can mean missing your filing deadline.
Georgia Deadlines That Can Affect a Mass Tort Claim
Most Georgia personal injury claims must be filed within two years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. See our guide to Georgia personal injury deadlines for exceptions.
For product claims against a manufacturer, O.C.G.A. § 51-1-11 generally bars suits filed more than 10 years after the product’s first sale. That limit does not apply to negligence claims involving products that cause a disease or birth defect, or to conduct showing a willful, reckless or wanton disregard for life or property. A manufacturer’s duty to warn about dangers it learns of also continues after the sale. Claims involving medical care may fall under Georgia’s malpractice deadlines, and our medical malpractice page explains more.
How to Find Out If You Have a Claim
- Get medical care and a clear diagnosis. Mass tort claims depend on documented injuries.
- Gather records. Collect medical records, pharmacy records, product names, model and lot numbers, purchase receipts and proof of where you lived or worked.
- Keep the product. If a device or product is involved, do not throw it away or return it to the manufacturer without advice.
- Write down your history. Note when you used the product or were exposed, and when symptoms started.
- Talk to a lawyer promptly. An attorney can review whether your injury fits current litigation and which deadlines apply.
If a loved one died from an illness or injury tied to a product or exposure, the family may have a wrongful death claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Mass Tort and a Class Action?
In a mass tort, each person files an individual claim and damages depend on that person’s injuries. In a class action, a representative sues for a whole group, and class members generally share in one outcome. Personal injury cases with very different injuries are usually handled as mass torts.
Do I Have to Travel to Another State to Join an MDL?
Usually not. Federal MDLs coordinate pretrial proceedings in one court, and your lawyer handles most of the court appearances. If your case does not settle, it may be sent back to the court where it was originally filed for trial.
Is There a Deadline to Join a Mass Tort?
Yes. Your own state’s statute of limitations still applies, and settlement programs can have their own registration deadlines. In Georgia, most injury claims must be filed within two years, so waiting can cost you the right to recover.
Will I Receive the Same Amount as Everyone Else?
Not necessarily. In mass torts, recoveries usually depend on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical costs and the strength of the evidence linking the injury to the product or exposure. No outcome is certain.
If you think a product, drug, device or chemical exposure harmed you or a loved one, The Gunn Law Group can review your situation in a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you. Call 888-BIG-GUNN (888-244-4866) or contact us online. Hablamos español.
