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.
Edelstein is an unincorporated village just off Illinois Route 40 in Peoria County, Illinois, 17.15 miles (27.60 km) north of Peoria City Hall, approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) north of the city limits of Peoria, and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) west of Chillicothe, Illinois. Edelstein's main business is a manufacturing company named International Supply Company, which owns several blocks of the village. On Thursday morning, June 25, 2009, the historic Hub Ballroom was destroyed by fire. Built in 1938, this building hosted celebrity appearances by Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.