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.
Wyoming is a village on the Wood River in southern Rhode Island, primarily in the town of Richmond, but extending north across the river (which defines the town line) into the town of Hopkinton. Wyoming is a post office location, assigned zip code 02898. The Wyoming Village Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Rhode Island Routes 138 and 3, Old Nooseneck Hill Road, Bridge and Prospect Streets in Richmond. The district features Greek Revival, late-Victorian and Federal architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The historic district covers properties in both the towns of Richmond and Hopkinton, with a total area of 570 acres. The Hillsdale Historic and Archeological District in Richmond also is identified as being in the vicinity of Wyoming. The village was the site of industrial activity early in its history due to the ready availability of water power from the river. Brand’s Iron Works already existed on the Hopkinton side of the river as of 1787. A textile mill known as Brothers Cotton Mill was established on the Richmond side of Wyoming in 1814.