In this article, you’ll find important January 2025 updates on six high-profile ongoing nationwide mass torts. Cases include the Uber sexual assault lawsuits, new filings against Pfizer’s Depo Provera, and significant developments in the Roundup, Paraquat, and AFFF firefighter foam litigation.
In many of these mass torts, we continue to see a surge in lawsuits filed into January 2025 and beyond, with new evidence and scientific studies surfacing. Read on to discover 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 nearly 1,500 MDL lawsuits active as of January. 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.
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 January 2025, the preparations for bellwether trials are in full swing, with a discovery pool of 20 potential cases to be selected by February. Plaintiffs must file amended complaints by March 14, 2025, with discovery closing in September. The bellwether trial is set to begin on December 8, 2025.
Depo Provera Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
By January 2025, nearly two dozen women had filed lawsuits against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo Provera. Many more lawsuits are expected throughout 2025.
A hearing before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) on January 30, 2025 in Miami will determine whether these lawsuits are to be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). Lawyers are still investigating cases of individuals diagnosed with meningiomas after using Depo Provera, and plaintiffs can still join the MDL.
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.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
As of January 2025, nearly 10,000 lawsuits have been filed against L’Oreal over alleged harms caused by their hair relaxer products. The cases are consolidated under a multidistrict litigation (MDL) overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland. Despite the defendant’s motion to dismiss, the judge allowed claims of failure to warn, negligence, and strict liability to proceed.
Plaintiffs who filed by February 1, 2024, must submit detailed fact sheets 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.
Roundup Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
By January 2025, 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.
Additionally, a new study published in December 2024 by researchers at Arizona State University suggests a link between glyphosate, Roundup’s active ingredient, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. These findings could result in more lawsuits against Bayer as evidence is mounting on the potential health risks of Roundup.
Paraquat Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
In January 2025, two new Paraquat lawsuits were filed. One claim involves a Maryland resident who developed Parkinson’s disease after long-term exposure, and the other lawsuit was filed by the family of a deceased woman who allegedly died from the same condition after using Paraquat on her New York farm. Both lawsuits allege that the defendants failed to warn users about the significant neurological dangers of Paraquat.
Additionally, 57 cases face dismissal from the Paraquat MDL due to plaintiffs failing to submit the necessary questionnaires. The first Paraquat bellwether trial, initially set for early 2025, is now expected in late 2025. The delay occurred due to four case dismissals for insufficient expert testimony.
In other developments, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation released preliminary reports in December 2024, identifying associations between Paraquat exposure and birth defects and thyroid impacts. Another recent study in the National Library of Medicine found a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
AFFF Firefighter Foam Lawsuit 2025 - Latest News and Updates
Lawsuits against AFFF manufacturers are surging, with 7,633 active cases as of early January 2025. Bellwether trials are expected to begin in October 2025, with the potential for a global settlement in due course.
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.
Additionally, the U.S. Government filed a motion to be dismissed as a defendant in the AFFF MDL, with a hearing scheduled for February 7, 2025. Plaintiffs and their legal counsel are closely watching the MDL developments and preparing for potential settlements or trial outcomes.
Future Mass Tort Developments
The outcomes of these six mass tort cases will significantly impact those injured and their families, as they could lead to substantial settlements. The scheduled bellwether trials and new, emerging scientific studies will be vital to resolving this high-profile litigation.
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 will continue to monitor any developments into 2025 and provide you with more updates in due course.
