Statewide Coordination of Mass Tort Cases Becoming Increasingly Popular

On January 24, 2002, the New York state courts adopted a rule that provides a procedure for the statewide coordination of mass tort cases that is similar to the Multidistrict Litigation System (MDL) in the federal courts. Uniform Rules for the New York State Trial Courts ' 202.69. With the implementation of Rule 202.69, New York is the third state, following California and Pennsylvania, to institute formal statewide coordination of mass tort cases that share common questions of law or fact (New York had previously followed an ad hoc coordination system). <i>See</i> Daniel Wise, 'New York Courts Adopt Federal Mass Torts Plan,' 2/22/2002 NYLJ 1 (col.5); Ca. Civ. Proc. '' 404.1, <i>et seq.</i>; Ca. St. Trial Ct. Rules 1501, <i>et seq.</i>; Pa. R. Civ. P. '' 213.1, 1041.1, 1041.2.

9 minute read September 01, 2003 at 10:41 PM

By

Beth L. Kaufman And David Black