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.
Rumford, Rhode Island, is a subdivision of the city of East Providence that touches Naragansett Bay. Roger Williams originally settled at (what is now) the intersection of Roger Williams and Wilson Avenues. The settlement was told by the governor of Plymouth that the area was still under the authority of Plymouth Colony. Thus, Roger Williams crossed the Providence River and settled what is now Providence. Rumford has previously been part of three towns and two states; Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Seekonk, Massachusetts, and East Providence, Rhode Island. Rumford Baking powder was made in the town, but is actually named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Wannamoisett Country Club is also located in Rumford. This country club and golf course, designed by Donald Ross, is spread out over 100 acres (0.4 km) on Hoyt Road, and hosts the Northeast Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament each year. Agawam Hunt Country Club is also located in Rumford, and it is much older. Rumford's zip code is 02916, and the area code is 401. Several Native American tribes originally settled in the area including the Algonquin, Agawam, and Massasoit.