SettlementLift resources
Mass tort and product lawsuits: plain-language guides
These guides explain large lawsuits over drugs, medical devices, chemicals and online platforms: what plaintiffs allege, which court is handling the cases and what has happened so far. They are general information, not legal advice, and SettlementLift does not take or refer these cases.
By SettlementLift. Published · Updated .
What a mass tort is
A mass tort is a group of individual injury lawsuits against the same company over the same product or conduct. Unlike a class action, each person keeps an individual case, and any compensation depends on that person’s own injuries and evidence.
How an MDL works
When many similar federal cases are filed, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation can send them to one judge as a multidistrict litigation (MDL) for shared pretrial work. The judge often holds bellwether trials, test cases that help both sides judge the strength of the claims. Many MDLs end in settlement programs, but some end with most claims dismissed.
JPML: Pending MDL dockets by actions pending (October 1, 2026) ↗Drug and medical device lawsuits
Current guides cover Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, Depo-Provera, Suboxone film, Tylenol during pregnancy, Dupixent, the Paragard IUD, Bard PowerPort implanted ports and spinal cord stimulators.
Chemical and consumer product lawsuits
Separate guides cover AFFF firefighting foam, the herbicide paraquat and chemical hair relaxers.
Rideshare and online platform lawsuits
Guides also cover sexual assault lawsuits against Uber and Lyft and lawsuits alleging that social media platforms and video games were designed in ways that harm young users.
How we keep these pages current
Case counts come from the federal panel’s monthly report, and each page shows when it was last updated. Court schedules change often, so confirm current status with the court or a lawyer before relying on a date.
JPML: Pending MDL dockets by actions pending (October 1, 2026) ↗Talking to a lawyer
Mass tort lawyers usually work on contingency, meaning they are paid a percentage of any recovery. Ask how the fee is calculated, which costs you could owe, whether your case would be filed in the MDL or in state court, and who will handle it day to day. SettlementLift is not a law firm and does not take or refer these cases.
ABA: Questions to ask a lawyer ↗Frequently asked questions
Is a mass tort the same as a class action?
No. In a class action, one or a few people represent a whole group. In a mass tort, each person files an individual claim, so outcomes can differ from person to person.
Does SettlementLift handle these cases?
No. These pages are informational. SettlementLift is not a law firm and does not take, refer or fund these claims.