Multidistrict litigation is a legal procedure in United States federal courts in which lawsuits involving similar issues (common issues of fact) are consolidated in one court (called the MDL court) for the purpose of convenience and efficiency in pretrial matters, such as discovery. These lawsuits are generally returned to their original federal district courts for trial. Claims that are often the subject of multidistrict litigation are product liability claims against pharmaceutical companies, securities fraud cases, and airplane crashes.

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a federal legal procedure that consolidates multiple lawsuits that share common factual issues to one federal district court for pretrial proceedings. This process is designed to streamline and manage complex litigation more efficiently. In Pennsylvania, as in other states, cases that are part of an MDL can be transferred to the MDL court from their original federal district courts. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a group of federal judges, decides whether cases should be consolidated under MDL and which court will oversee the pretrial activities. After the pretrial phase, which includes discovery and motions, the cases are typically sent back to their originating courts for trial. MDLs are common in cases involving product liability, such as those against pharmaceutical companies, securities fraud, and major accidents like airplane crashes. It's important to note that MDL is a federal procedure and does not apply to cases filed in Pennsylvania state courts unless they are removed to federal court.