The mass tort landscape is constantly evolving, with several multidistrict litigations (MDLs) reaching critical milestones and new litigations emerging with significant momentum. As courts refine procedures and plaintiff populations grow, law firms are facing increasing pressure to manage complex data requirements, validate claims early, and prepare for settlement-driven workflows that may accelerate in 2026.
Below is a streamlined overview of where the major MDLs stand today, what shifts are expected in 2026, and how Verus supports firms navigating this fast-moving environment.
A Snapshot of the Largest Active MDLs
Various MDLs continued to dominate the litigation environment throughout 2025. Among the most active:
- Talcum Powder (67k+ cases) After multiple unsuccessful bankruptcy attempts, the litigation proceeds in federal court with continued pressure on Johnson & Johnson to negotiate resolution. In addition, a number of cases have gone to trial in state courts across the country, resulting in a number of verdicts against the drug manufacturer. https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/johnson-johnson-talcum-powder-litigation
- Bard Hernia Mesh (23k+ cases) Global settlement reached; new filings continue as remaining claims work through the MDL. https://www.ohsd.uscourts.gov/multidistrict-litigation-2846
- AFFF Firefighting Foam (15k + cases) — Municipal claims involving public water systems have been resolved; personal injury claims are positioned for significant activity. https://www.scd.uscourts.gov/mdl-2873/index.asp
- Hair Relaxer (10k+ cases) Large potential plaintiff pool; the Court will select three bellwether cases by February 2026, but the first trials are not expected until 2027. A new order was issued in September, 2025 outlining a number of procedural matters including deadlines and the discovery schedule. https://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/mdl-details.aspx?91eSFtoI+ycFmA6482wQKA==
- Paraquat (6+ cases) Reported federal settlement and a stay of proceedings until January, 2026 with substantial state court litigation ongoing. If the settlement falls through, discovery will resume and trials are expected to begin in April 2026. https://www.ilsd.uscourts.gov/paraquat-products-liability-litigation
- Paragard, Tepezza, Roundup, Social Media Addiction, and GLP-1 Drugs — Each continues to expand, with procedural milestones shaping value and case progression.
At the same time, early-stage litigations—including Depo-Provera brain tumor cases, Suboxone tooth decay claims, heavy metal baby food litigation, BioZorb complications, and Oxbryta-related injuries—are steadily developing into larger, more coordinated mass torts.
What to Expect in 2026
- Acceleration in Settlement Activity
Many longstanding MDLs are approaching potential inflection points. Litigations such as AFFF, Tepezza, Paraquat (state) cases, and Roundup may see more defined settlement paths as courts push for efficiency and parties evaluate bellwether risk.
- Expansion of Emerging Litigation. Five torts are positioned for significant growth next year:
- Depo-Provera: Strong scientific link to intracranial meningiomas; large population of potential claimants.
- GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro): Rapidly developing MDL as claims continue to rise.
- Suboxone tooth decay: Relatively new MDL with thousands of anticipated filings.
- Heavy metal baby food claims: Consolidated MDL with increasing plaintiff activity.
- Uber Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation: The first trial in the MDL is scheduled for January 13, 2026; an earlier trial in California state court delivered a mixed verdict in October.
- Wildfire litigation: in January 2025, several lawsuits were filed against Southern California Edison, the City of Los Angeles and the State of California in the wake of the wildfires, particularly the Eaton and Palisades fires.
These matters will require substantial intake, documentation, and medical record management capacity as firms scale.
- Increased Scrutiny on Claim Quality
Courts and defendants are placing greater emphasis on:
- Data accuracy
- Early proof-of-diagnosis
- Exposure and usage validation
- Clean and complete MDL filings
- Compliance with census and PPF requirements
Early claim triage and consistent documentation will be essential for firms looking to participate in settlement programs or meet court-established deadlines.
- Key Bellwether Movement
Several current MDLs are expected to move forward with science hearings and bellwether trials:
- Paragard — First federal trial scheduled for January, 2026.
- Hair Relaxer — Daubert rulings and recent Georgia Supreme Court decision resetting the 10-year statute of limitations for each product purchase are expected to shape case valuation.
- Talcum Powder — Trial verdicts and continuing federal activity may increase pressure toward negotiated resolution.
These milestones will influence settlement expectations and strategic planning for the defendants and plaintiff firms nationwide.
Impact of F.R.C.P 16.1 on MDL Procedures –
As the new federal procedural rule focused on MDLs goes into effect, courts will be encouraged to utilize case management tools geared toward increasing judicial efficiency and transparency; this may include requests to both sides to provide more information aimed at getting a clearer sense of the issues at the outset of a litigation.
How Verus Supports Firms Navigating 2026 MDLs
As litigations grow in both volume and complexity, Verus offers operational and analytical capabilities designed to help firms meet court requirements, manage costs, and position their inventories for successful outcomes.
- Scalable Intake & Early Case Validation
Verus supports firms in efficiently identifying and confirming eligible claims through:
- Medical record retrieval and review
- Diagnosis verification
- Exposure modeling
- Eligibility, triage, and criteria alignment
- Intake workflows for large plaintiff pools
This ensures that only credible, well-documented claims move forward.
- Litigation Analytics & Forecasting
Our analytics team helps firms understand the larger litigation environment through:
- Incidence and prevalence modeling
- Claim value forecasting
- Valid-claim predictions and numericity analysis
- Bellwether candidate identification
Data-driven insight helps firms prioritize resources, budget effectively, and refine litigation strategy.
- MDL Documentation & Compliance
As MDLs and the implementation of FRCP 16.1 introduce new forms and requirements, Verus manages:
- Plaintiff Profile Forms (PPFs)
- Census submissions
- Fact sheets
- Court-mandated audits and reconciliations
- Records management and quality control
Our team ensures timely, accurate submissions that reduce administrative burden and the risk of non-compliance.
- End-to-End Case Management Support
Verus integrates seamlessly with law firms’ existing systems and offers:
- Workflow automation
- Claimant communication tracking
- Document processing
- Secure, structured data handling
- Partnership with Salesforce or firm-specific platforms
This allows firms to focus on strategy and client advocacy while we manage the operational load.
- Settlement Administration & Financial Management
For MDLs approaching settlement stages, Verus provides:
- QSF administration
- Claims review and compensation calculations.
- Lien resolution
- Audit and reconciliation.
- Payment distribution and reporting
Our team has experience administering billions in settlement funds across high-volume litigation programs.
- Support for Government, AG, and Regulatory Claims
Verus’ New Jersey headquarters and 20+ years of experience position us to support:
- State AG claims programs.
- Regulatory remediation projects
- Public-sector settlement administration
- Large-scale data and claimant management initiatives
Preparing for a Pivotal Year in Mass Torts
The year ahead will be defined by settlement momentum, expansion of new litigations, and increasing demands on plaintiff firms to maintain clean, validated, well-documented case inventories. As MDLs evolve, operational efficiency and data discipline will matter more than ever.
Verus stands ready to support firms, agencies, and their clients with the infrastructure, experience, and analytical insight needed to manage growing dockets and prepare for successful outcomes.
If you would like to discuss how Verus can support your MDL strategy for 2026, please contact us.
