A mass tort is a civil lawsuit that involves hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs and one or a few defendants in which the plaintiffs have the same or similar claims against the defendant or defendants. Mass tort lawsuits are often filed as class action lawsuits (a procedural mechanism for joining the plaintiffs in one lawsuit), and are typically based on alleged wrongful acts (torts) such as exposure of the plaintiffs to harmful substances (asbestos or benzene), or defective products (pharmaceuticals or medical devices), or invasions of privacy (data breaches).

In Nebraska, mass torts are handled similarly to other jurisdictions in the United States. They involve a large number of plaintiffs who have been injured by the same defendant or defendants under similar circumstances. These cases often arise from exposure to harmful substances, defective products, or invasions of privacy such as data breaches. While mass torts can be filed as class action lawsuits, they are distinct in that each plaintiff may have unique damages and the cases are often more complex. Nebraska state statutes and federal laws govern the procedures for filing and managing mass tort claims. The Nebraska Class Action Act, for instance, outlines the requirements for maintaining a class action in state courts, which includes numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation. Federal mass tort claims may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline pretrial proceedings when cases are filed in different federal districts. It is important for plaintiffs in Nebraska to consult with an attorney experienced in mass tort litigation to navigate the complexities of these cases and to ensure that their rights are adequately protected.