A mass tort is a civil action involving numerous plaintiffs against one or a few corporate defendants. The tort may involve, for example, personal injuries suffered by numerous plaintiffs as a result of a defective product, or a mass disaster in which there were many injured persons, such as an airplane crash, or exposure of a large group of people to toxic chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
Villa Park is a city in northern Orange County, California near Orange and Anaheim Hills that incorporated in 1962. It had a population of 5,999 in the 2000 census, achieving the status of the smallest city in Orange County by population (La Palma is Orange County's smallest city in area). Villa Park includes about 2,000 homes and the land is nearly 99% built out. The city is zoned for single-family residences; most house occupy half-acre lots. There is one small shopping center that includes a Ralph's grocery store, some banks, a pharmacy with a postal substation, a variety of stores and offices, City Hall and community room, and a branch of the Orange County Public Library. Three restaurants, including Rockwell's Cafe & Bakery, are located in the shopping center. Public elementary, middle, and high schools are operated by the Orange Unified School District. There are no public parks within the city limits. Many homes have pools or tennis courts, or both. Villa Park has winding streets, no sidewalks, nor any street lights. There are many trees and flowers planted that contribute to a rural, green ambience. Villa Park is an enclave within the city of Orange. Villa Park's geography is due largely to its unwillingness to annex land beyond Santiago Creek, to the east. The city of Orange annexed these lands around and beyond Villa Park.