What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and a multi-district litigation?

A class action lawsuit and a multi-district litigation (MDL) are both legal proceedings initiated by groups of people who have suffered a similar harm due to the actions of a defendant. However, the two types of proceedings differ in key ways. In a class action lawsuit, a single plaintiff brings a claim on behalf of a large group of people who experienced the same type of harm. A court must certify the lawsuit as a class action before any evidence is submitted and the case can proceed. All members of the class remain anonymous and are not required to actively participate in the proceedings. If a judgment or settlement is reached, the class members are typically eligible to receive compensation. A multi-district litigation is similar to a class action in that it involves a large group of people with similar claims. However, rather than being brought by a single plaintiff, an MDL is usually initiated by a federal judge in response to multiple similar claims. In an MDL, the court combines the cases into a single legal proceedings, including the sharing of evidence and arguments. Each case is still handled as an individual matter, so individuals must actively participate in the proceedings. The court may issue one ruling or settlement that affects all participating members. In conclusion, class action lawsuits and multi-district litigations are both proceedings in which multiple people have similar claims, but they differ in how they are initiated and how each case is handled. Class actions are brought by a single plaintiff and all members remain anonymous. An MDL is initiated by a federal judge and all involved members must actively participate in the proceedings.

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What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and a multi-district litigation?

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