In most mass tort cases there is a distinct injury or injuries established from the onset of litigation; however, this is not the case with the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) lawsuits. The multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established on Aug. 2, 2017, and all cases were transferred to the federal district court in New Jersey. Attorneys must be armed with a sufficient organizational system to keep the many injuries, drugs and deadlines clear from the beginning.

This litigation is unique in that it has many moving parts. One client could have used a variation of at least seven different brand names of the PPI drug, prescribed or over-the-counter, with multiple injuries, each case with its own set of circumstances. Another moving part involves knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in a case, which requires medical research. When filing a PPI case, not only must an attorney determine there was PPI use but he must also be able to determine whether there is evidence of a kidney injury. Therefore, when deciding whether to take a case, attorneys must be well versed with not only the basic requirements of use and injury, but also the research relating to and the science behind each ailment. Organization and medical summary are key for each individual case.