March 2026 MDL Statistics Report
Comprehensive analysis of federal multidistrict litigation data from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
March 2026 Overview
The March 2026 JPML report reveals a growing federal MDL landscape, with 198,480 pending actions spread across 160 active dockets. This represents a net increase of 1,216 pending cases and three additional MDLs from February 2026. Five new MDLs were centralized while two Xarelto-related MDLs were terminated.
The most dramatic development is the Depo-Provera litigation (MDL-3140), which exploded with 1,001 new cases in a single month — a staggering 47.7% increase — pushing its total from 2,098 to 3,099 pending actions. This is the largest single-month case increase of any MDL in March.
The Hair Relaxer litigation (MDL-3060) also saw strong growth with 245 new cases (11,440 total), while the GLP-1/Ozempic litigation (MDL-3094) added 172 cases to reach 3,363 pending actions. The Bard PowerPort catheter litigation (MDL-3081) grew by 154 cases.
Notable new additions include the Lyft Sexual Assault MDL (MDL-3171), mirroring the existing Uber litigation, and the return of the 3M Combat Arms Earplug MDL (MDL-2885) to the docket with over 391,000 historical actions. Meanwhile, the J&J Talcum Powder litigation (MDL-2738) continued to decline, shedding 507 cases.
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Largest Active MDLs
Top 25 = 95.2% of all cases| # | MDL | Litigation | District | Pending | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDL-2738 | Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder | NJ | 67,115 | -507 |
| 2 | MDL-2846 | Bard Polypropylene Hernia Mesh | OHS | 23,695 | -33 |
| 3 | MDL-2873 | AFFF Firefighting Foam | SC | 15,220 | +4 |
| 4 | MDL-3060 | Hair Relaxer Products | ILN | 11,440 | +245 |
| 5 | MDL-2789 | Proton-Pump Inhibitor (No. II) | NJ | 11,322 | 0 |
| 6 | MDL-2666 | Bair Hugger Warming Devices | MN | 8,535 | +45 |
| 7 | MDL-2570 | Cook Medical IVC Filters | INS | 6,750 | -123 |
| 8 | MDL-3004 | Paraquat Herbicide | ILS | 6,509 | +20 |
| 9 | MDL-2974 | Paragard IUD | GAN | 3,926 | +59 |
| 10 | MDL-2741 | Roundup Weedkiller | CAN | 3,887 | -15 |
| 11 | MDL-3094 | GLP-1/Ozempic | PAE | 3,363 | +172 |
| 12 | MDL-3084 | Uber Sexual Assault | CAN | 3,291 | +103 |
| 13 | MDL-3140 | Depo-Provera | FLN | 3,099 | +1,001 |
| 14 | MDL-2804 | National Prescription Opiates | OHN | 2,957 | 0 |
| 15 | MDL-3081 | Bard PowerPort Catheter | AZ | 2,828 | +154 |
| 16 | MDL-3047 | Social Media Adolescent Addiction | CAN | 2,407 | +82 |
| 17 | MDL-3029 | Covidien Hernia Mesh | MA | 2,348 | +88 |
| 18 | MDL-3092 | Suboxone Film | OHN | 1,849 | -4 |
| 19 | MDL-3044 | Exactech Orthopedic | NYE | 1,838 | 0 |
| 20 | MDL-2921 | Allergan Breast Implant | NJ | 1,481 | 0 |
| 21 | MDL-2875 | Valsartan Blood Pressure | NJ | 1,418 | +15 |
| 22 | MDL-2740 | Taxotere Chemotherapy | LAE | 1,173 | -162 |
| 23 | MDL-2924 | Zantac/Ranitidine | FLS | 851 | -179 |
| 24 | MDL-2848 | Zostavax Shingles Vaccine | PAE | 826 | 0 |
| 25 | MDL-3026 | Preterm Infant Formula/NEC | ILN | 779 | +4 |
New MDLs Centralized in March 2026
Five new MDLs were centralized by the JPML this month.
One of the largest MDLs in history returns to the JPML docket with 0 pending cases and over 391,000 historical actions following a massive settlement program.
Newly centralized litigation involving allegations of sexual assault by Lyft drivers against passengers, similar to the existing Uber MDL.
New medical device MDL concerning synthetic cartilage implants manufactured by Cartiva, alleging device failure and complications.
Aviation disaster litigation arising from the fatal crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea on December 29, 2024.
Antitrust litigation alleging price-fixing conspiracy among shell egg producers and distributors.
Fastest Growing Litigation
Key Trend: The Depo-Provera litigation (MDL-3140) saw an extraordinary surge of 1,001 new cases in March alone — a 47.7% month-over-month increase. This birth control injection litigation has now surpassed 3,000 pending actions and is the fastest-growing MDL in the federal system by a wide margin.
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MDLs with Case Reductions
J&J Talcum Powder
Taxotere Chemotherapy
Zantac/Ranitidine
Cook Medical IVC Filters
Bard Hernia Mesh
MDLs Terminated in March 2026
Two Xarelto-related MDLs were terminated by the JPML in March 2026.
Massive pharmaceutical litigation involving the blood thinner Xarelto. With over 31,000 historical cases, this MDL has concluded after years of settlements and resolutions.
Patent litigation related to the Xarelto blood thinner. This companion MDL to the products liability case has been terminated following resolution of remaining disputes.
MDL Distribution by Litigation Type
| Category | MDLs | Pending | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Products | 4 | 78,437 | 39.5% |
| Other Products Liability | 40 | 51,685 | 26% |
| Medical Device | 14 | 46,388 | 23.4% |
| Agricultural/Environmental | 2 | 10,396 | 5.2% |
| Sexual Assault/Misconduct | 3 | 3,319 | 1.7% |
| Opioid Litigation | 2 | 3,199 | 1.6% |
| Other | 26 | 2,167 | 1.1% |
| Data Breach/Privacy | 19 | 1,065 | 0.5% |
| Antitrust | 31 | 913 | 0.5% |
MDL Distribution by Federal District
| # | District | Full Name | MDLs | Pending | % Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJ | District of New Jersey | 9 | 81,195 | 40.9% |
| 2 | OHS | Southern District of Ohio | 2 | 23,702 | 11.9% |
| 3 | SC | District of South Carolina | 2 | 15,246 | 7.7% |
| 4 | ILN | Northern District of Illinois | 12 | 13,345 | 6.7% |
| 5 | CAN | Northern District of California | 18 | 10,737 | 5.4% |
| 6 | MN | District of Minnesota | 7 | 8,802 | 4.4% |
| 7 | INS | Southern District of Indiana | 1 | 6,750 | 3.4% |
| 8 | ILS | Southern District of Illinois | 1 | 6,509 | 3.3% |
| 9 | OHN | Northern District of Ohio | 4 | 4,948 | 2.5% |
| 10 | PAE | Eastern District of Pennsylvania | 7 | 4,736 | 2.4% |
District of New Jersey Dominance: The District of New Jersey continues to host the lion's share of pending MDL actions at 40.9%, driven primarily by the massive J&J Talcum Powder (67,115 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
3M Combat Arms Earplug
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Avandia
Ethicon Physiomesh
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: March 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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