Structure:

• Mass Tort: Involves multiple individual lawsuits grouped together due to common elements or defendants.
• Class Action Lawsuits: A single lawsuit brought on behalf of a larger group, known as the class, with a designated representative plaintiff.

Individual Control:

• Mass Tort: Each plaintiff maintains control over their case and its resolution.
• Class Action Lawsuits: Class members have limited control over the lawsuit, with decisions made by the representative plaintiff and their legal team.

Compensation:

• Mass Tort: Compensation and settlements are determined individually, considering the unique circumstances and harm suffered by each plaintiff.
• Class Action Lawsuits: Compensation and settlements are typically distributed uniformly among all class members, often on a pro-rata basis.

Applicability:

• Mass Tort: Ideal when cases involve varying degrees of harm or distinct circumstances for each plaintiff.
• Class Action Lawsuits: Effective when numerous claimants have similar claims and a uniform resolution is practical.

Efficiency:

• Mass Tort: May be more time-consuming and complex due to individual case management.
• Class Action Lawsuits: Generally more efficient in terms of time and resources as it consolidates claims into one proceeding.