May 2025 brings crucial updates to six high-profile mass torts that could impact thousands of plaintiffs. Recent activity includes newly filed lawsuits, key MDL decisions, and fresh scientific studies affecting claims in the Uber sexual assault cases, Pfizer’s Depo Provera litigation, and ongoing battles over Roundup, talcum powder, and AFFF firefighting foam.
Here’s your guide to what’s happening right now in six major mass torts. Discover how the latest science is influencing outcomes, and what these developments mean for current and future claimants.
Uber Sexual Assault 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The number of sexual assault lawsuits against Uber continues to expand significantly, with an additional 179 cases added as of May 2025, bringing the total number of pending cases in the MDL to 2,062. The high number of lawsuits shows the increasing momentum of this litigation as it progresses through the federal court system.
Uber MDL Update
Recent developments in the Uber sexual assault MDL include a late December 2024 push by plaintiff attorneys to obtain Uber’s marketing materials for discovery, which the company has yet to provide. These documents are vital evidence for claims related to rider safety and driver background checks.
As of May 2025, the preparations for bellwether trials are in full swing. Twenty potential sexual assault cases have been selected for the initial trial pool, with both the plaintiffs and defendants choosing ten cases each. The legal teams will now start gathering evidence and preparing these cases for the upcoming bellwether trials.
In a March 24, 2025 status report, plaintiffs in the Uber MDL accused the company of intentionally confusing data on drivers, riders, and safety reports, including anonymizing sexual assault data to hinder tracking specific incidents or drivers. Uber’s attorneys denied these allegations, asserting full compliance with document requests.
That same day, the court also approved depositions of key Uber executives, including the current and two former CEOs, with a deposition schedule required by March 28. The bellwether trial is set to begin on December 8, 2025.
The deadline for plaintiffs filing amended complaints was March 14, 2025, with discovery closing in September.
Recent MDL Court Ruling
On March 12, 2025, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision to combine more than 1,600 sexual assault lawsuits against Uber under one judge in San Francisco. Uber had opposed the consolidation, citing its user agreement, but the court determined that federal law takes precedence over the company’s terms. This ruling clears the way for the multidistrict litigation (MDL) to move forward.
Uber to Produce Safety Data
Plaintiff lawyers recently submitted a letter to the court outlining the production of U.S. Safety Report data. Uber must now provide a comprehensive dataset, including files related to up to 375 safety incidents and reports of sexual assaults.
FTC Files New Lawsuit Against Uber
Uber faces new federal scrutiny as the FTC filed suit last month over allegedly deceptive “Uber One” subscription practices. The complaint targets the rideshare giant’s cancellation process, which forces customers to end subscriptions through multiple screens. Many users report being charged for memberships they never knowingly authorized.
This latest controversy parallels issues in Uber’s sexual assault litigation, with critics pointing to a pattern of prioritizing profits over consumer protection and accountability
Depo Provera Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation has experienced dramatic growth in recent weeks, with consolidated cases more than doubling from 130 in April to 289 by early May 2025.
Depo Provera MDL Update
Litigation of the MDL against Pfizer will occur in Florida under Judge Rodgers, surprising both sides since Pfizer wanted New York and plaintiffs preferred California for the MDL. The panel chose Florida as neutral territory and selected Judge Rodgers based on her experience handling complex cases, including the recent $6 billion 3M earplug litigation. This consolidation will help process claims more efficiently as plaintiffs argue Pfizer didn't properly warn about the contraceptive's risks.
On March 18, 2025, Judge Rodgers set a clear timeline for the Depo-Provera MDL to progress efficiently. Discovery began on March 27, with evidence gathering scheduled to conclude by September 23, 2025. The deadline for disputes over expert witness testimonies is February 10, 2026. Initial trials are anticipated to start in late 2026 or early 2027.
Pilot Cases Selected for Early Trials
During the first case management conference on February 21, 2025, Judge Rodgers selected five pilot cases to proceed as early test trials. The pilot cases aim to expedite the litigation process and assess jury reactions to evidence connecting Depo-Provera to meningioma brain tumors. They will take the place of conventional bellwether trials and are expected to shape future legal proceedings and settlement negotiations.
New Depo Provera MDL Established
A hearing before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) in Miami on January 30, 2025, confirmed the creation of multidistrict litigation (MDL).
Litigation of the MDL and the now pending 78 Depo-Provera lawsuits against Pfizer will occur in Florida under Judge Rodgers, surprising both sides since Pfizer wanted New York and plaintiffs preferred California for the MDL.
The panel chose Florida as neutral territory and selected Judge Rodgers based on her experience handling complex cases, including the recent $6 billion 3M earplug litigation. This consolidation will help process claims more efficiently as plaintiffs argue Pfizer didn't properly warn about the contraceptive's risks.
The first bellwether trials for Depo Provera are expected to start in mid-2025. The bellwether trials will give an indication of how juries might respond to evidence linking the birth control shot to brain tumors. Successful outcomes for plaintiffs in these trials could lead to substantial settlements or verdicts in the future.
New Medical Study Links Depo Provera to Brain Tumors
Findings outlined in a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) late in 2024 support the recent Depo Provera lawsuits. Researchers established that women injected with Depo-Provera over a period of a year or more had a 5.6-times higher risk of developing intracranial meningiomas, rare types of brain tumors.
US Women Were Left in the Dark About Depo Provera Tumor Risk
American Depo-Provera users were unaware of actions taken in Europe and Canada regarding the contraceptive’s potential link to rare brain tumors. While European and UK health authorities updated their warning labels to specifically mention meningioma risks, Pfizer failed to add similar warnings on the labels of their US product.
This discrepancy may provide an added boost to lawsuits filed by American women who claim they developed brain tumors after using the medication.
Generic Drug Makers Face Judicial Heat in Depo-Provera Litigation
Judge Rodgers is scrutinizing generic manufacturers in the expanding Depo-Provera litigation. When Greenstone and Viatris missed their 14-day deadline to submit critical affidavits about their involvement with the contraceptive, the court immediately issued a show-cause order demanding explanations.
Though both companies finally complied on April 11, 2025, the episode demonstrates the court’s strict enforcement approach as the mass tort builds momentum. Prasco (the only defendant to meet the original deadline) avoided judicial scrutiny, while their co-defendants’ delay serves as a reminder that the court expects compliance from all parties as the case moves forward.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The hair relaxer multidistrict litigation has witnessed a milestone this month, with consolidated cases surpassing the 10,000 threshold for the first time. Court records show that 10,168 lawsuits are now pending in the MDL as of May 2025. Hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed against L’Oreal over alleged harm caused by their products. The cases are consolidated under a multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland.
Plaintiffs who filed by February 1, 2024, must by now have submitted detailed fact sheets, which were due by February 28, 2025. The oral discovery deadline is September 30, 2025.
A new study in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology found links between hair relaxers and cancers like breast and ovarian cancer. Harmful chemicals identified in the study can enter the body through the scalp and act as hormone disruptors, potentially increasing cancer risk. These new findings provide plaintiffs with stronger evidence to support their claims in upcoming litigation.
New Court Order for Restarting Hair Relaxer Cases
A March 31, 2025, court order outlined steps for restarting Hair Relaxer MDL cases dismissed without prejudice. Plaintiffs must act quickly to refile in federal court. Those with the same lawyer can file a motion to reopen their case with detailed claim documents due within ten days, while plaintiffs with new lawyers must file cases from scratch.
Appointment of Settlement Mediator
Ellen Reisman was appointed special settlement mediator for the hair relaxer MDL in late March 2025. A settlement mediator can help to accelerate settlement discussions, which could lead to resolutions even before the bellwether trials are litigated.
New Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Filed
In late April, an Illinois woman filed suit against L'Oréal USA, Avlon Industries, and other manufacturers, claiming their chemical relaxers caused her cancer diagnosis after years of regular use without adequate warnings about health risks. Only days later, a Michigan plaintiff added her complaint to the MDL, alleging that prolonged exposure to these hair straighteners led to her ovarian cancer.
Formaldehyde Ban on Hold
The proposed ban on formaldehyde in hair relaxers is currently on hold after a Trump executive order paused all federal regulations. As of March 2025, only three states (Maryland, California, and Washington) have banned formaldehyde in hair products.
Bellwether Trial Update May 2025
Judge Rowland requires each side to identify 20 potential cases for bellwether trials, creating a pool of 40 candidates that will undergo discovery before being narrowed to just ten finalists.
The court has set a deadline of April 30, 2025, for the parties to exchange their selected cases. The Bellwether discovery is due to be completed by February 16, 2026, with the list of cases to be narrowed down to only ten by March 2026. Bellwether trials are expected to determine the trajectory of the entire litigation
Revlon Discovery Issues
Currently, Revlon, also a named defendant in some hair relaxer lawsuits, is facing discovery issues. The manufacturer was expected to provide updated answers to a list of unclear product names provided by plaintiffs by February 18, 2025.
Since Revlon is in bankruptcy proceedings, it may be challenging for plaintiffs to recover damages.
Roundup Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The Roundup multidistrict litigation displayed modest growth in early May, with the total number of pending cases reaching 4,432, a slight increase of 17 cases from April’s tally. While new cases continue to be filed, the litigation may be approaching a plateau after years of sustained growth.
Altogether, approximately 170,000 lawsuits had been filed against Bayer over Roundup, with around 100,000 cases settling for a total of $11 billion. New lawsuits are expected to emerge during 2025.
Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has recently appealed a $175 million jury verdict awarded to Ernest Caranci, who alleged Roundup caused his cancer. The appeal, filed in the Pennsylvania Superior Court, challenges the jury’s decision, citing court misconduct and a lack of scientific basis. The outcome of this appeal is pending, with a decision expected later in 2025.
Significant Roundup Verdict in Georgia
On March 23, 2025, a Georgia jury hit Bayer with a staggering $2.1 billion verdict over Roundup's link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer plans to appeal but is drowning in over 60,000 lawsuits and struggling to keep up.
With $5.9 billion reserved for settlements, the figure falls short, especially as juries consistently side with plaintiffs. Despite Bayer’s plea for congressional immunity and threats to pull Roundup from U.S. markets, courts continue to hold the company accountable.
North Dakota Enacts Controversial “Pesticide Shield Law”
North Dakota created a legal shield for agrochemical companies in late April. Governor Kelly Armstrong signed legislation that prevents failure-to-warn lawsuits by declaring EPA-approved labels legally sufficient.
This victory for Bayer blocks Roundup victims from seeking compensation in the state and may help similar bills gain momentum elsewhere, including in Georgia, Missouri, and other agricultural states. This potential domino effect could fundamentally reshape pesticide litigation across America.
Expiration Label Class Action Back Under the Microscope
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is reconsidering a class action lawsuit over Roundup’s lack of expiration labels. Plaintiffs argue that when exposed to air and water, the product’s active ingredient, glyphosate, breaks down into N-nitrosoglyphosate (NNG), a carcinogen.
The suit claims NNG levels could exceed EPA safety standards before the bottle is fully used. Initially dismissed in 2023, the case is now poised for a potential comeback to address these health concerns.
New Studies Linking Roundup Exposure to Adverse Health Effects
The study maintains that current regulations are not stringent enough, and the use of Roundup is not monitored adequately to protect rural populations from adverse health effects.
Bayer Takes Roundup Fight to the Supreme Court
Bayer filed a formal petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in April, seeking a review of a key lawsuit on federal preemption grounds. The appeal argues that federal regulations should supersede state-level requirements. If successful, the appeal could significantly undermine thousands of pending cases by preventing plaintiffs from pursuing claims under state consumer protection laws.
Talcum Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The talcum powder litigation continues its steady expansion, with the multidistrict litigation growing by 435 cases during April. Court records updated on May 1 show the MDL now encompasses 58,643 pending lawsuits in total. The nationwide litigation over talcum powder enters a critical stage as thousands of cancer patients seek compensation.
Johnson & Johnson has officially abandoned its bankruptcy strategy after three unsuccessful attempts. In a significant development for plaintiffs, the company confirmed in late April that it will not appeal its latest bankruptcy dismissal.
This decision removes the legal barrier that had suspended thousands of cancer claims for years and returns all pending talcum powder lawsuits to traditional court proceedings.
Judge Shuts Down J&J's $9 Billion Talc Settlement
On March 31, 2025, a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected Johnson & Johnson's $9 billion settlement plan, citing issues with the plaintiff voting process. This marks the third failed attempt by J&J to use bankruptcy to resolve talc lawsuits.
The plan, involving J&J’s subsidiary Red River Talc LLC, could have been one of the largest mass tort settlements ever, addressing thousands of cancer claims tied to talc products. With around 60,000 lawsuits still pending, J&J has reversed $7 billion in settlement funds and now plans to resolve cases through the traditional court system.
Recent Research Strengthens Cancer Connection
A 2024 National Institutes of Health study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has reinforced plaintiffs’ claims by identifying a link between talc use and ovarian cancer. This research, conducted over several years and based on data from over 50,000 women, potentially undermines J&J’s longstanding position that its talc products are safe and non-carcinogenic.
J&J Targets Expert Witness
Johnson & Johnson is pivoting from bankruptcy maneuvers to directly challenging the scientific foundation of talc claims. The company filed a motion to reopen its previously dismissed lawsuit against Dr. Jacqueline Moline, the expert witness whose testimony has supported over 200 talc cases.
After winning an appeal to access her research data, J&J now claims Moline’s influential 2019 study linking talc to mesothelioma contains fatal flaws, specifically that at least half of her participants had alternative asbestos exposures from sources like insulation and cigarettes. The company is calling her findings “completely false,” signaling an aggressive new defense strategy.
AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
The firefighting foam litigation continues its rapid expansion, with the AFFF multidistrict litigation adding over 400 new cases during April alone. Court records updated on May 1 show the MDL now encompasses 9,342 pending lawsuits, which is a significant jump from last month's 8,928.
Judge Gergel’s recent ruling confirming PFAS-related health impacts has weakened 3M’s position. With several potentially plaintiff-friendly decisions expected in the coming months, the company may opt to resolve cases rather than risk costlier courtroom defeats.
Bellwether trials for the AFFF lawsuit are expected to begin in October 2025, with the potential for a global settlement in due course.
The U.S. Government filed a motion to be dismissed as a defendant in the AFFF MDL, with a hearing having taken place in February. Plaintiffs and their legal counsel are closely watching the MDL developments and preparing for potential settlements or trial outcomes.
Court Expands AFFF Ulcerative Colitis Bellwether Pool
The AFFF litigation is advancing on multiple fronts, with the court recently expanding the bellwether process for ulcerative colitis claims. Three additional plaintiffs were added to the discovery pool in April, with Tier 1 discovery now scheduled to run through mid-August 2025. This four-month investigation period allows plaintiffs and defendants to gather critical evidence before the next selection phase.
The court has established a clear timeline, with parties directed to submit their proposals for Tier 2 selection by July 21. While the order guarantees at least one plaintiff will advance to this more intensive discovery phase, the judge has reserved the right to select multiple cases. This decision may accelerate the path toward resolving thousands of similar claims.
Study Confirms Neurotoxic Properties of PFAS
A December 2024 study from the University at Buffalo revealed that PFAS chemicals found in AFFF impact important brain health genes. This neurotoxic effect is evident regardless of a person’s exposure level to the toxic substance, meaning even exposure to small amounts of PFAS can cause detrimental health effects.
PFAS Linked to Liver Cancer
A study published in JHEP Reports revealed a strong connection between PFOS (a type of PFAS) and liver cancer. People with high PFOS levels in their blood are 4.5 times more likely to develop non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma, a common type of liver cancer.
EPA Ramps Up PFAS Crackdown While Pentagon Confirms Widespread Contamination
The EPA unveiled aggressive measures last week targeting “forever chemicals,” with administrator Zeldin announcing strict new limits on PFAS discharges from firefighting foam producers and metal finishers. The plan also shifts cleanup costs from taxpayers to polluters.
Simultaneously, a Pentagon assessment revealed 581 military installations requiring potential PFAS remediation. This alarming figure exposes the true scale of contamination from decades of AFFF use. The findings document chemical migration into groundwater, soil, and drinking supplies surrounding bases nationwide, raising urgent health concerns for military personnel and communities nearby.
Future Mass Tort Developments
We will continue to monitor the developments and outcomes of these six mass tort cases throughout 2025. These developments, including any significant settlements, could profoundly affect those injured and their families. The scheduled bellwether trials and new, emerging scientific studies will be vital to resolving these high-profile mass torts.
In addition, the outcomes of these claims are crucial not only for those directly involved but may also set new precedents in mass tort litigation. We’ll keep you informed as and when new developments emerge in these evolving cases.
Tamara Armstrong
Contributor
Tamara Armstrong is a legal content writer who has helped drive traffic to the websites of some of the country's best-known law firms and legal service providers.
