Mass Tort Lawsuits: Active Cases, MDL Status &amp; Settlements

Ovarian cancerMesotheliomaFallopian tube cancer

Talcum Powder

Talcum powder lawsuits allege Johnson & Johnson's talc-based Baby Powder contained asbestos and caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. MDL 2738 in New Jersey is the largest active MDL, with 69,250 pending cases in September 2026. In July 2026, J&J proposed a $5.5 billion resolution of ovarian cancer claims that needs 95% participation.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomaB-cell lymphomaT-cell lymphoma

Roundup

Roundup lawsuits allege Monsanto's glyphosate weedkiller caused non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bayer has settled about 100,000 claims for roughly $11 billion. In June 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Monsanto v. Durnell that federal law preempts state failure-to-warn claims, and a proposed $7.25 billion class settlement awaits final approval in Missouri.

Kidney cancerLiver cancerBladder cancer

Camp Lejeune

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 lets people exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 sue the U.S. government. As of September 18, 2026, the Justice Department reported settlement offers of more than $1.1 billion and payouts of more than $879 million.

Intracranial meningioma (brain tumor)Multiple meningiomasRecurrent meningioma requiring surgery

Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera lawsuits allege that long-term use of Pfizer's injectable contraceptive raises the risk of intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor. MDL 3140 in the Northern District of Florida had 6,403 pending cases in September 2026. Pfizer and plaintiffs' leadership reached a global settlement in principle in June 2026; its terms have not been disclosed.

Uterine cancerEndometrial cancerOvarian cancer

Hair Relaxer

A fast-growing MDL alleging that chemical hair straightening and relaxer products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to uterine and ovarian cancer, with a disproportionate impact on Black women who comprise an estimated 90% of users. The landmark 2022 NIH Sister Study found more than double the risk of uterine cancer in frequent users.

Kidney cancerTesticular cancerProstate cancer

AFFF Foam (PFAS)

AFFF lawsuits allege that firefighting foam containing PFAS 'forever chemicals' contaminated drinking water and caused cancer in firefighters, military personnel and nearby residents. 3M and DuPont-related companies settled public water system claims for about $11.5 billion. Personal injury claims remain unresolved, with 15,264 cases pending in MDL 2873 in September 2026.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)Infant deathShort bowel syndrome

NEC Baby Formula

NEC lawsuits allege that cow's-milk-based preterm infant formulas from Abbott (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil) caused necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies. In August 2026 Abbott agreed to pay about $670 million to resolve claims for roughly 2,000 infants, and in September 2026 a federal jury found for Mead Johnson in the first MDL bellwether to reach a verdict.

Parkinson's diseaseParkinsonism

Paraquat

Paraquat lawsuits allege that exposure to the herbicide paraquat causes Parkinson's disease. A confidential settlement framework was reached in 2025 and is still being implemented: 6,666 cases remained pending in MDL 3004 in September 2026, including plaintiffs who opted out. The settlement amount has not been disclosed.

Mesh migrationMesh adhesion to organsChronic pain

Hernia Mesh

Hernia mesh lawsuits allege that surgical mesh from Bard, Covidien, Atrium and Ethicon was defectively designed and caused chronic pain, infection, adhesions and revision surgery. Becton Dickinson announced agreements in October 2024 to resolve about 38,000 Bard claims; 23,316 cases were still pending in the Bard MDL in September 2026 while the settlement is administered.

Device fractureFilter migrationOrgan perforation

IVC Filters

IVC filter lawsuits allege that retrievable inferior vena cava filters made by Bard and Cook Medical fractured, migrated or perforated organs. Bard's MDL is no longer active after Bard settled most claims. Cook Medical's MDL 2570 in Indiana still had 6,501 pending cases in September 2026, with no global settlement announced.

Consumer Products / InstitutionalResolved

3M Earplugs

RESOLVED — The largest multidistrict litigation in American history, with over 300,000 claims, has been substantially resolved through a $6 billion settlement. 3M's Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) were allegedly defectively designed, providing inadequate hearing protection to U.S. military service members from 2003 to 2015. Settlement distributions are underway as of 2026.

Hearing lossTinnitusAuditory processing difficulties

Lung cancerKidney cancerLiver cancer

CPAP Recall

Philips recalled about 5.5 million CPAP, BiPAP and ventilator devices in June 2021 because their sound-abatement foam could break down and release harmful particles into users' airways. Philips agreed to a $1.1 billion personal injury settlement and a $479 million economic loss settlement; 624 cases remained pending in MDL 3014 in September 2026.

Bladder cancerStomach cancerLiver cancer

Zantac

Zantac lawsuits allege that NDMA contamination in ranitidine caused bladder, stomach and other cancers. The federal MDL's claims were dismissed in December 2022 after the judge excluded plaintiffs' causation experts; that ruling is on appeal. In Delaware, after the state Supreme Court reversed a ruling admitting plaintiffs' experts, the trial court granted summary judgment in April 2026.