What is the difference between a mass tort and a class action?

In a class action, one consolidated lawsuit is brought on behalf of a class of similarly situated plaintiffs and one judgment or settlement fund covers the entire class. In a mass tort, many individual lawsuits are coordinated for pretrial proceedings (usually as a federal MDL) but each plaintiff keeps their own case and their own damages. Mass tort payouts vary dramatically by individual injury, while class action payouts are usually flat or tier-based.

Do I need a lawyer to join a mass tort?

Yes. Mass tort cases are individual lawsuits, so you need a plaintiffs' attorney to file your case and represent you in pretrial proceedings (and at trial if your case is selected as a bellwether or proceeds individually). Most mass tort firms work on contingency, which means there are no upfront fees and the firm is paid only if you recover compensation.

How much does it cost to file a mass tort claim?

Nothing upfront. Mass tort plaintiffs' firms work on contingency: you pay no out-of-pocket legal fees, and the firm is paid only as a percentage of any recovery. Free case reviews are standard.

How long do mass tort cases take?

Mass torts typically take several years from filing to resolution because of the volume of cases and the bellwether trial process. Each individual case must establish causation and damages, so timelines vary by case complexity and by whether the defendant offers a global settlement, settles bellwether cases, or chooses to try cases individually.

Mass Tort Lawsuits Accepting New Cases (2026)

Social media addiction harm to minors

Coordinated personal-injury claims tied to platform features alleged to cause compulsive use, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm in minors. MDL 3047 (N.D. Cal.) + JCCP 5255 (Los Angeles).

Social Media MDL

TCPA spam text & consumer torts (mass-tort intake)

Per-violation TCPA claims and consumer-protection intake. Different from class-action TCPA settlements — these run as individual arbitration or individual statutory-damages cases.

TCPA Mass Tort

TCPA Spam Text Message Investigation

Status: Open · Received unwanted spam or telemarketing texts you never agreed to? · Per-text statutory damages under the TCPA

Drug injury & pharmaceutical MDLs

Active personal-injury MDLs against drug manufacturers. Pharmacy receipts, EOB statements, or medical records typically establish use; injury must be diagnosed by a treating physician.

Drug Injury

Tylenol Autism / ADHD Lawsuit — Prenatal Acetaminophen Exposure

Status: Open · Mothers who took acetaminophen during pregnancy · Child later diagnosed with autism or ADHD · MDL 3043 (S.D.N.Y.)

Zantac (Ranitidine) Cancer Lawsuit — $2.2B GSK Settlement Plus Other Manufacturers

Settlement Reached

Drug Injury

Zantac (Ranitidine) Cancer Lawsuit — $2.2B GSK Settlement Plus Other Manufacturers

Status: Open · Long-term brand OTC Zantac users diagnosed with bladder, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, or stomach cancer

Drug Injury

Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit — Meningioma Claims

Status: Open · Pfizer Depo-Provera users diagnosed with meningioma brain tumor · MDL 3140 (N.D. Cal.)

Drug Injury

Paraquat Weed Killer — Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit

Status: Open · Agricultural workers, applicators, or rural residents diagnosed with Parkinson’s after paraquat exposure · MDL 3004 (S.D. Ill.)

Drug Injury

Ozempic / Wegovy / Mounjaro Gastroparesis Lawsuit — Stomach Paralysis Claims

Status: Open · GLP-1 weight-loss-drug users diagnosed with gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal injury · MDL 3094 (E.D. Pa.)

Drug Injury

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit — Dental Injury Claims

Status: Open · Suboxone film users with severe dental injuries · MDL 3092 (N.D. Ohio)

Drug Injury

Belviq (Lorcaserin) Weight-Loss Drug Cancer Lawsuit

Status: Litigation largely wound down · No MDL; many firms no longer accepting new Belviq cancer cases · Recalled February 2020

Dupixent (Dupilumab) Lymphoma Lawsuit — Alleged CTCL Risk

Investigating

Drug Injury

Dupixent (Dupilumab) Lymphoma Lawsuit — Alleged CTCL Risk

Status: New MDL · Failure-to-warn claims that Dupixent is associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) · MDL 3180 (D.N.J.) · causation unproven

PPI Kidney Injury Lawsuit — Nexium, Prilosec & Prevacid

Settlement Reached

Drug Injury

PPI Kidney Injury Lawsuit — Nexium, Prilosec & Prevacid

Status: Settlements reached · Long-term PPI users diagnosed with kidney disease (AIN, AKI, CKD, ESRD) · MDL 2789 (D.N.J.) · AstraZeneca $425M · winding down

Drug Injury

Fosamax Femur Fracture Lawsuit — Atypical Thigh-Bone Break Claims

Status: Revived · Long-term Fosamax (alendronate) users with atypical femur fractures · MDL 2243 (D.N.J.) · reinstated after the 2024 preemption reversal · no settlement

Zostavax Shingles Vaccine Lawsuit — Injury & Dismissed-Cases Explainer

Claims Closed

Drug Injury

Zostavax Shingles Vaccine Lawsuit — Injury & Dismissed-Cases Explainer

Status: Winding down · Shingles-causation cases dismissed (affirmed on appeal); ~826 non-shingles claims remain · MDL 2848 (E.D. Pa.) · no settlement

Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuit — POTS & Autoimmune Injury Claims

Claims Closed

Drug Injury

Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuit — POTS & Autoimmune Injury Claims

Status: Winding down · Merck won on preemption & expert exclusion; bulk settled (~$50M, 200+ cases, June 2026) · MDL 3036 (W.D.N.C.) · causation found unsupported

Drug Injury

Taxotere Eye Injury Lawsuit — Blocked Tear Ducts & Chronic Tearing

Status: Active · Taxotere (docetaxel) chemo patients alleging canalicular stenosis / permanent excessive tearing · MDL 3023 (E.D. La.) · no settlement

Drug Injury

Tasigna (Nilotinib) Atherosclerosis Lawsuit — Novartis Leukemia Drug Claims

Status: Active · CML patients on Tasigna diagnosed with atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, or peripheral arterial disease · MDL 3006 (M.D. Fla.) · summary judgment denied Jan. 2025 · no settlement

Drug Injury

Chantix Recall Lawsuit — Varenicline Nitrosamine Class Action

Status: In litigation · Consumers who bought recalled Pfizer Chantix (2019–2021) after an N-nitroso-varenicline nitrosamine impurity forced a recall of all U.S. lots · economic-loss & medical-monitoring claims · MDL 3050 (S.D.N.Y.) · no settlement

Medical device MDLs

Defective implants, monitoring devices, and respiratory equipment. Implant identifier card or device serial number plus medical records typically establish use and injury.

Medical Device

Bard PowerPort Catheter Lawsuit — Fracture & Migration Injury Claims

Status: Open · Bard PowerPort recipients with catheter fracture, migration, infection, or thrombosis · MDL 3081 (D. Ariz.)

Medical Device

Implanted Port Catheter Lawsuits — Bard & AngioDynamics Device Claims

Status: Two active MDLs · Port recipients with alleged catheter fracture, migration, clots, or infection · Bard MDL 3081 (D. Ariz.) & AngioDynamics MDL 3125 (S.D. Cal.) · no settlement

Atrium C-QUR Hernia Mesh Lawsuit — Fish-Oil-Coated Mesh Complications

Settlement Reached

Medical Device

Atrium C-QUR Hernia Mesh Lawsuit — Fish-Oil-Coated Mesh Complications

Status: Settled · winding down · Atrium C-QUR Omega-3-coated mesh recipients with inflammation, adhesions, or revision surgery · MDL 2753 (D.N.H.) · Getinge ~$66M

Philips Respironics CPAP / BiPAP Recall — $479M Settlement

Settlement Reached

Medical Device

Philips Respironics CPAP / BiPAP Recall — $479M Settlement

Status: Closed · Economic-loss settlement claim deadline passed; payments distributing · MDL 3014 (W.D. Pa.)

FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor Lawsuit — Inaccurate Readings & DKA Claims

Investigating

Medical Device

FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor Lawsuit — Inaccurate Readings & DKA Claims

Status: Open · FreeStyle Libre 1, 2, or 3 users who experienced hypoglycemia, DKA, or hospitalization from inaccurate readings

Medical Device

Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Lawsuit — DKA Complaint Filed

Status: Complaint filed · Connoly v. Abbott Diabetes Care (E.D. La.) alleges a falsely normal reading during a DKA crisis

Bard / Davol Hernia Mesh Lawsuit — Ventralex, 3DMax & PerFix Complications

Settlement Reached

Medical Device

Bard / Davol Hernia Mesh Lawsuit — Ventralex, 3DMax & PerFix Complications

Status: Global settlement underway · Bard/Davol polypropylene mesh recipients with adhesions, bowel obstruction, or revision surgery · MDL 2846 (S.D. Ohio) · BD framework reported over $1B

Medical Device

Covidien / Parietex Hernia Mesh Lawsuit — Complication Claims

Status: Open · Covidien/Parietex polyester mesh recipients with chronic pain, adhesions, infection, or revision surgery · MDL 3029 (D. Mass.) · first bellwether underway

Medical Device

Bair Hugger Surgical Warming Blanket Lawsuit — Infection Claims

Status: Open · Hip/knee replacement patients with deep-joint infection where a 3M Bair Hugger was used · MDL 2666 (D. Minn.) · revived by the 8th Circuit

Medical Device

Paragard IUD Lawsuit — Copper Device Breakage on Removal

Status: Open · Paragard copper IUD recipients whose device broke on removal, leaving fragments requiring surgery · MDL 2974 (N.D. Ga.) · first bellwether a defense verdict

Medical Device

Exactech Implant Recall Lawsuit — Knee, Hip & Ankle Premature-Failure Claims

Status: Stayed by bankruptcy · Recalled Exactech Optetrak, Truliant knee, Vantage ankle & Connexion GXL hip recipients who needed revision surgery · MDL 3044 (E.D.N.Y.) · no settlement

Medical Device

Allergan Biocell Breast Implant Lawsuit — BIA-ALCL Lymphoma Claims

Status: Open · Recalled Allergan Biocell textured implant recipients, especially those diagnosed with BIA-ALCL (a lymphoma of the immune system) · MDL 2921 (D.N.J.) · first bellwether set for Oct 2026

Consumer product injury MDLs

Personal-care products, dietary products, and consumer chemicals linked to long-term injury. Purchase records help but are rarely strictly required — medical records carry most claims.

Consumer Product

Hair Straightener / Chemical Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit

Status: Open · Long-term users of chemical hair relaxers diagnosed with uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, fibroids, or endometriosis · MDL 3060 (N.D. Ill.)

Consumer Product

Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer & Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Status: Active MDL — intake review · Long-term talcum powder users diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma · MDL 2738 (D.N.J.) · No public settlement claim form

JUUL Vaping Injury Lawsuit — $300M+ Settlements

Settlement Reached

Consumer Product

JUUL Vaping Injury Lawsuit — $300M+ Settlements

Status: Closed · Consumer settlements resolved; payouts sent · $300M+ to consumers and states

JUUL Labs $300M Consumer Settlement Coverage

Settlement Reached

Consumer Product

JUUL Labs $300M Consumer Settlement Coverage

Status: Closed · $300M consumer settlement; claim deadline passed and payouts sent

Consumer Product

Enfamil / Similac NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit

Status: Active · Premature infants fed cow’s-milk-based Enfamil or Similac formula who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) · MDL 3026 (N.D. Ill.) · Inman v. Mead Johnson bellwether began July 6, 2026

Consumer Product

Dry Shampoo Benzene Contamination Lawsuit — $850K IGK + Other Brands

Status: Closed · $850K IGK benzene settlement; claim deadline passed and payouts sent

Consumer Product

EzriCare / Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Eye Infection Lawsuit

Status: Litigation ongoing, winding down · No MDL or settlement; many firms no longer accepting new artificial-tears cases

Baby Food Heavy Metals Autism / ADHD Lawsuit

Investigating

Consumer Product

Baby Food Heavy Metals Autism / ADHD Lawsuit

Status: At risk · Heavy-metals autism/ADHD claims · MDL 3101 (N.D. Cal.) · most causation experts excluded, dispositive hearing ~July 9, 2026

Protein Powder Heavy-Metals Lawsuits — Lead & Cadmium Claims

Investigating

Consumer Product

Protein Powder Heavy-Metals Lawsuits — Lead & Cadmium Claims

Status: Class actions filed · Alleged undisclosed lead/cadmium in popular protein powders · JPML denied an MDL · no settlement

Toxic exposure MDLs

Long-tail exposure cases — military bases, manufacturing sites, and engineered-stone fabrication shops. Service records, employment history, or residence records help establish exposure.

Toxic Exposure

AFFF Firefighting Foam PFAS Lawsuit — Military & Firefighter Cancer Claims

Status: Open · Military firefighters, civilian firefighters, or base residents exposed to AFFF and diagnosed with kidney, testicular, or other PFAS-linked cancer · MDL 2873 (D.S.C.)

Toxic Exposure

PFAS Exposure Investigation — Forever Chemicals Cancer Claims

Status: Open · Residents and workers exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water or industrial PFAS · Cancer, thyroid, ulcerative colitis, and high-cholesterol claims

Toxic Exposure

Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Status: Open · Workers, veterans, and family members with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis from occupational or secondhand asbestos exposure

Toxic Exposure

Silicosis Lawsuit — Engineered-Stone Countertop Fabricator Lung Disease

Status: Open · Engineered-stone countertop fabricators diagnosed with silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis, or lung-transplant-requiring lung disease

Birth injury & medical malpractice

Single-defendant individual cases (not MDLs), but coordinated by plaintiffs’ firms because of the consistent injury pattern and shared expert witnesses.

Claims Closed

Birth Injury

Birth Injury / Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) & Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit

Status: No longer accepting submissions · Families of children with HIE, cerebral palsy, or related birth injury from delayed C-section, failure to monitor, or fetal distress

Delayed C-Section / Failure to Respond to Fetal Distress

Claims Closed

Birth Injury

Delayed C-Section / Failure to Respond to Fetal Distress

Status: No longer accepting submissions · Families of newborns harmed by delayed emergency C-section or failure to respond to fetal heart-rate distress

Vaccine Injury

SIRVA Vaccine Shoulder Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

Status: Open · Adults with SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration) eligible to file in the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Sexual abuse & assault

Institutional abuse, rideshare assault, and online-grooming claims. Survivor confidentiality is preserved throughout intake.

California Institutional Abuse Lawsuit — New 2026–2027 Filing Window

HOT

Sexual Assault

California Institutional Abuse Lawsuit — New 2026–2027 Filing Window

Status: Open · AB 250 opens a Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027 window to file previously time-barred claims · abuse at CA schools, juvenile detention, churches, hospitals, foster care & more · AB 2777 window closes Dec 31, 2026

Sexual Assault

Rhode Island Institutional Abuse Lawsuit — New 2026–2028 Filing Window

Status: Open · A new RI law opens a July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028 revival window to file previously time-barred claims · abuse at RI juvenile detention centers, schools, churches, hospitals & employers

Sexual Assault

Mormon (LDS) Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Status: Open · Survivors of childhood sexual abuse connected to the LDS Church · Individual lawsuits — JPML denied an MDL (Apr 2025) · CA settlement in principle for 100+ cases

Sexual Assault

Uber / Lyft Rideshare Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Uber or Lyft passengers sexually assaulted by a rideshare driver · Uber MDL 3084 & Lyft MDL 3171 (N.D. Cal.) · individual claims — no settlement claim form

Sexual Assault

NYC Institutional Abuse Lookback Window — Bill 1297-A Survivor Claims

Status: Open · Survivors of abuse at NYC-run or NYC-licensed institutions · Civil claims under reviver window through July 29, 2027

Sexual Assault

Discord Child Predator / Grooming Lawsuit

Status: Open · Parents of minors groomed or exploited through Discord

Sexual Assault

Roblox Child Predator / Grooming Lawsuit

Status: Open · Parents of minors groomed or exploited through Roblox

Environmental catastrophe & mass casualty

Wildfire, opioid epidemic, and other mass-casualty resolutions. Property records, medical records, and decedent records support claims.

Roundup Cancer Lawsuit — $7.25B Bayer Global Resolution

Settlement Reached

Environmental

Roundup Cancer Lawsuit — $7.25B Bayer Global Resolution

Status: Open · Roundup users diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma · $7.25B Bayer global resolution announced 2026 · MDL 2741 (N.D. Cal.)

Maui Fires Lawsuit — $135M Lahaina Wildfire Settlement

Settlement Reached

Environmental

Maui Fires Lawsuit — $135M Lahaina Wildfire Settlement

Status: Open · Lahaina / Maui residents with property loss, injury, or wrongful-death claims from the August 2023 wildfires · $135M Hawaiian Electric resolution

Environmental

California Wildfires Investigation

Status: Open · California residents with property loss, injury, or wrongful-death claims from utility-caused wildfires

Purdue Pharma / Sackler Family $6B Opioid Settlement

Settlement Reached

Opioid Epidemic

Purdue Pharma / Sackler Family $6B Opioid Settlement

Status: Open · Individuals harmed by Purdue OxyContin · $6B Sackler family / Purdue Pharma global resolution

McKinsey Opioid Lawsuit — Consultant Role in the Crisis

Settlement Reached

Opioid Epidemic

McKinsey Opioid Lawsuit — Consultant Role in the Crisis

Status: Active MDL · Consultant to Purdue accused of helping boost OxyContin sales · $230M + ~$78M MDL settlements + $650M DOJ resolution · MDL 2996 (N.D. Cal.) · no individual claim form

NCAA Concussion Lawsuit — $70M Screening Settlement + CTE Injury Cases

Settlement Reached

Personal Injury

NCAA Concussion Lawsuit — $70M Screening Settlement + CTE Injury Cases

Status: Two tracks · Approved $70M Arrington medical-monitoring (screening, not cash) settlement + ongoing personal-injury / CTE cases · MDL 2492 (N.D. Ill.) · no global injury settlement

Video game addiction harm to minors (active litigation)

Plaintiffs’ lawsuits against video game studios over compulsion-design features (loot boxes, variable rewards, infinite reels) and harm to minors. The federal MDL was rejected (No. 3109 in 2024, No. 3168 in 2025) but the lawsuits were not dismissed — individual cases continue, related Northern District of California cases are coordinated for discovery, and California state cases are coordinated as JCCP No. 5363. There is no settlement or public claim form.