Active Mass Tort Cases
Last Updated: October 2, 2026
A comprehensive directory of current mass tort litigation in the United States. Each case page includes factual background, eligibility criteria, current status, and scientific evidence.
Pharmaceutical / Drug
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GLP-1 / Ozempic
GLP-1 lawsuits allege that semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) cause severe gastrointestinal injuries, including gastroparesis, and, in a separate MDL, a form of vision loss called NAION. As of September 2026, 4,022 cases were pending in MDL 3094 and 216 in MDL 3163, both before Judge Karen S. Marston in Philadelphia.
Environmental / Toxic Exposure
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.
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.
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.
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.
Consumer Products / Institutional
Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction lawsuits allege Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube designed their apps to be addictive to children while concealing evidence of mental health harm. In March 2026 a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable in the first bellwether trial and awarded $6 million. The federal MDL had 3,208 pending cases in September 2026.
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.
Medical Devices
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.
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.
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.
Bard PowerPort
Bard PowerPort lawsuits allege that Bard's implanted port catheters, used to deliver chemotherapy and other IV drugs, are prone to fracture, migration and infection. Federal cases are consolidated in MDL 3081 in Arizona, which had 3,734 pending cases in September 2026. In September 2026 a bellwether jury awarded a plaintiff $40 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many active mass tort cases are there in the U.S.?
As of September 1, 2026, there were 166 active MDLs with 206,182 pending cases across federal courts in the United States.
What is the largest mass tort case currently?
The J&J talcum powder MDL is the largest, with 69,250 pending cases as of September 1, 2026, followed by the Davol/C.R. Bard hernia mesh MDL with 23,316.
How do I know if I qualify for a mass tort case?
Each case has specific eligibility criteria based on the product used, injuries suffered, and timing of exposure. Visit individual case pages for detailed eligibility information.
Are new mass tort cases still being filed?
Yes. New mass tort categories emerge regularly as new scientific evidence links products to injuries. Recent emerging cases include GLP-1 drugs and social media addiction.
What does "active litigation" vs. "settlement phase" mean?
Active litigation means cases are still in pretrial proceedings or trial. Settlement phase means the parties are negotiating or administering a settlement agreement.