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 New Jersey, mass torts are civil actions that involve a large number of plaintiffs against one or several defendants. These plaintiffs usually have similar legal issues or have been harmed in a similar manner. New Jersey courts handle mass torts through a coordinated management system to streamline the process and avoid inconsistent rulings. This system is designed to handle complex cases involving harmful substances, defective products, or other large-scale tortious conduct. Mass torts can be filed as class actions if they meet certain criteria, such as numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation, as outlined in the New Jersey Rules of Court. These cases are often complex and require extensive coordination, and they are managed by judges with specific expertise in mass tort litigation. The New Jersey judiciary maintains a list of designated mass torts, and cases that fall under this category are subject to specialized management and procedural rules to facilitate fair and efficient resolution.