February 2026 MDL Statistics Report
Comprehensive analysis of federal multidistrict litigation data from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
February 2026 Overview
The February 2026 JPML report reveals a federal MDL landscape comprising 197,264 pending actions spread across 157 active dockets. This represents a net decrease of 701 pending cases and one fewer MDL from January 2026, as the Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation (MDL-2591) was terminated.
The most significant development this month is the continued explosive growth of the Depo-Provera litigation (MDL-3140), which added 346 cases to reach 2,098 pending actions. The Hair Relaxer litigation (MDL-3060) also showed strong growth with 247 new cases, bringing its total to 11,195 pending actions.
The GLP-1/Ozempic litigation (MDL-3094) continues its upward trajectory with 128 new cases (3,191 total), while the Bard PowerPort litigation (MDL-3081) added 129 cases to reach 2,674 pending actions.
Notably, the Roundup litigation (MDL-2741) saw the largest single decline this month, dropping 609 pending cases to 3,902 as that mature litigation continues to resolve cases through settlements.
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Largest Active MDLs
Top 25 = 95.4% of all cases| # | MDL | Litigation | District | Pending | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDL-2738 | Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder | NJ | 67,622 | +42 |
| 2 | MDL-2846 | Bard Polypropylene Hernia Mesh | OHS | 23,728 | -21 |
| 3 | MDL-2873 | AFFF Firefighting Foam | SC | 15,216 | +3 |
| 4 | MDL-2789 | Proton-Pump Inhibitor (No. II) | NJ | 11,322 | 0 |
| 5 | MDL-3060 | Hair Relaxer Products | ILN | 11,195 | +247 |
| 6 | MDL-2666 | Bair Hugger Warming Devices | MN | 8,490 | -176 |
| 7 | MDL-2570 | Cook Medical IVC Filters | INS | 6,873 | -23 |
| 8 | MDL-3004 | Paraquat Herbicide | ILS | 6,489 | +13 |
| 9 | MDL-2741 | Roundup Weedkiller | CAN | 3,902 | -609 |
| 10 | MDL-2974 | Paragard IUD | GAN | 3,867 | +67 |
| 11 | MDL-3094 | GLP-1/Ozempic | PAE | 3,191 | +128 |
| 12 | MDL-3084 | Uber Sexual Assault | CAN | 3,188 | +110 |
| 13 | MDL-2804 | National Prescription Opiates | OHN | 2,957 | -7 |
| 14 | MDL-3081 | Bard PowerPort Catheter | AZ | 2,674 | +129 |
| 15 | MDL-3047 | Social Media Adolescent Addiction | CAN | 2,325 | +82 |
| 16 | MDL-3029 | Covidien Hernia Mesh | MA | 2,260 | +21 |
| 17 | MDL-2740 | Taxotere Chemotherapy | LAE | 2,145 | -42 |
| 18 | MDL-3140 | Depo-Provera | FLN | 2,098 | +346 |
| 19 | MDL-3092 | Suboxone Film | OHN | 1,853 | -1 |
| 20 | MDL-3044 | Exactech Orthopedic | NYE | 1,838 | 0 |
| 21 | MDL-2921 | Allergan Breast Implant | NJ | 1,481 | -1 |
| 22 | MDL-2875 | Valsartan Blood Pressure | NJ | 1,375 | -6 |
| 23 | MDL-2924 | Zantac/Ranitidine | FLS | 1,030 | 0 |
| 24 | MDL-2848 | Zostavax Shingles Vaccine | PAE | 826 | 0 |
| 25 | MDL-3026 | Preterm Infant Formula/NEC | ILN | 775 | +6 |
Fastest Growing Litigation
Key Trend: The Depo-Provera litigation continues its explosive growth trajectory, adding 346 cases in February alone, a 19.7% month-over-month increase. This birth control injection litigation has now surpassed 2,000 pending cases and remains one of the fastest-growing MDLs in the federal system.
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MDLs with Case Reductions
Roundup Weedkiller
Bair Hugger Warming Devices
Taxotere Chemotherapy
Cook Medical IVC Filters
Bard Hernia Mesh
MDL Terminated in February 2026
One MDL was terminated by the JPML in January 2026.
Litigation involving genetically modified corn. The MDL has concluded after resolution of all remaining cases.
MDL Distribution by Litigation Type
| Category | MDLs | Pending | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Products | 3 | 78,528 | 39.7% |
| Other Products Liability | 39 | 50,898 | 25.7% |
| Medical Device | 13 | 46,340 | 23.4% |
| Agricultural/Environmental | 2 | 10,987 | 5.5% |
| Opioid Litigation | 2 | 3,199 | 1.6% |
| Sexual Assault/Misconduct | 2 | 3,163 | 1.6% |
| Other | 26 | 2,213 | 1.1% |
| Data Breach/Privacy | 19 | 1,121 | 0.6% |
| Antitrust | 30 | 900 | 0.5% |
MDL Distribution by Federal District
| # | District | Full Name | MDLs | Pending | % Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJ | District of New Jersey | 12 | 83,572 | 42.2% |
| 2 | OHS | Southern District of Ohio | 2 | 23,756 | 12% |
| 3 | SC | District of South Carolina | 2 | 15,239 | 7.7% |
| 4 | ILN | Northern District of Illinois | 12 | 12,852 | 6.5% |
| 5 | CAN | Northern District of California | 19 | 11,051 | 5.6% |
| 6 | MN | District of Minnesota | 8 | 8,998 | 4.5% |
| 7 | INS | Southern District of Indiana | 1 | 6,896 | 3.5% |
| 8 | ILS | Southern District of Illinois | 1 | 6,476 | 3.3% |
| 9 | OHN | Northern District of Ohio | 4 | 4,969 | 2.5% |
| 10 | PAE | Eastern District of Pennsylvania | 7 | 4,411 | 2.2% |
District of New Jersey Dominance: The District of New Jersey hosts just 12 MDLs but controls 42.2% of all pending federal MDL actions, driven primarily by the massive J&J Talcum Powder (67,580 cases) and Proton-Pump Inhibitor (11,322 cases) litigations.
Case Concentration Analysis
The federal MDL system exhibits extreme concentration, with a small number of mega-litigations dominating the landscape.
Litigation Winding Down
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Avandia
Ethicon Physiomesh
Xarelto
Data Sources & Methodology
All statistics presented in this report are derived from official data published by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML). The JPML is the federal judicial body responsible for determining whether civil actions pending in different federal districts involve common questions of fact warranting consolidation for pretrial proceedings.
Primary Source
- Report: Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by Actions Pending
- Report Date: February 2, 2026
- Publisher: United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Definitions
- Pending Actions: Individual cases currently awaiting resolution within an MDL
- Total/Historical Actions: Cumulative count of all cases ever transferred to an MDL since its creation
- Transferee District: The federal district court where an MDL's pretrial proceedings are consolidated
- Transferee Judge: The federal judge assigned to oversee the consolidated pretrial proceedings
The JPML publishes updated statistics on the first business day of each month. MDLUpdate.com analyzes and publishes these statistics within 24-48 hours of release.
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Every case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Past settlement amounts and case outcomes do not guarantee similar results in your case. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction who can evaluate your specific situation.