Litigation glossary

Short-Form Complaint

An abbreviated filing used in MDLs: the master complaint carries the common allegations once, and each plaintiff files a short form with their individual facts. It's how MDLs make six-figure dockets administratively possible.

Most large MDLs adopt a master complaint (the shared allegations against the defendant) plus short-form complaints (your product use, injury, and dates). Many also allow direct filing into the MDL court, skipping the home-district-then-transfer step.

Direct filing has traps — courts have held direct filers waived their right to a home-district trial, and it can change which state's law applies. It's a lawyer's strategic decision, but knowing the vocabulary helps you follow your own docket.

Sources & attribution

Sources cited