Discover crucial April 2025 updates on six high-profile ongoing nationwide mass torts. Recent developments include additional lawsuits filed, multi-district litigation (MDL) news, and up-to-date scientific studies in the Uber sexual assault lawsuits, Pfizer’s Depo Provera, and the Roundup, Talcum Powder, and AFFF firefighter foam litigation.
In all of these mass torts, we’re seeing lawsuits filed into April 2025 and beyond, with new evidence and scientific studies continuing to surface. Read on for the latest news and updates and what they mean for plaintiffs.
Uber Sexual Assault 2025 - Latest News and Updates
Sexual assault lawsuits against Uber continue to increase into 2025, with 1,883 lawsuits pending on April 1, 2025. This is an increase of 223 new cases from early March. In addition, well over 500 Uber sexual assault lawsuits are pending in a California state court, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to over 2000.
Early 2025 also saw the filing of new lawsuits, including one from a Louisiana individual alleging Uber’s negligence in handling their sexual assault complaint. The plaintiff accused the company of failing to screen drivers adequately, posing an unreasonable risk to women passengers.
Uber MDL Update
As of April 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.
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.
Lyft Is Also Being Sued
Uber isn’t the only rideshare company in hot water for alleged sexual assaults of passengers. In early 2025, a Colorado lawmaker filed a lawsuit against the rideshare company Lyft, alleging she suffered a sexual assault by a Lyft driver.
Depo Provera Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
As of April 1, 2025, the total number of Depo Provera MDL cases reached 130, up from 78 in early March. More lawsuits are expected throughout 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.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
In April 2025, the pending number of MDL hair relaxer lawsuits stands at 9,936, an increase of 148 lawsuits compared to the previous month. 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.
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 March 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
In April 2025, the Roundup cancer MDL added just one lawsuit for a total of 4,415 pending cases. 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.
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
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) in January 2025 documents the adverse health effects of Roundup exposure on unborn children. Researchers observed that increased exposure to Roundup resulted in low birth weight and other health issues.
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.
Talcum Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
A staggering 58,208 talcum powder MDL lawsuits are pending as of April 2025, up from 58,206 in the previous month. The nationwide litigation over talcum powder enters a critical stage as thousands of cancer patients seek compensation. Meanwhile, manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J) tried to wrap up claims with a controversial bankruptcy procedure involving a subsidiary.
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.
AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
As of April 1, 2025, active lawsuits against AFFF manufacturers rose to 8,928. This is an increase of almost 500 lawsuits from last month, and may be down to settlement talks appearing imminent as 3M faces mounting legal pressure.
Judge Gergel’s recent ruling confirming PFAS-related health impacts has weakened the company’s position. With several potentially plaintiff-friendly decisions expected in the coming months, 3M 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.
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.
PFAS Ban in Limbo
The Trump administration withdrew a proposed ban on PFAS in drinking water in late January 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wanted to limit PFAS in drinking water and industrial wastewater to protect public health from the harmful forever chemicals.
Overturning the PFAS ban could increase plaintiffs burden of proof to demonstrate that the PFAS in AFFF caused their diseases and health problems. It may also be challenging for plaintiffs to argue that PFAS manufacturers violated safety standards.
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.
