May 2026 MDL Statistics Report
Comprehensive analysis of federal multidistrict litigation data from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
May 2026 Overview
The May 2026 JPML report shows 199,684 pending actions across 159 active dockets. Pending cases grew by 859 from April. Three new MDLs were centralized this month: MDL-3176 (Rare Breed Triggers), MDL-3178 (ByHeart Infant Formula), and MDL-3179 (Fire Apparatus Antitrust), while two MDLs were terminated (Xyrem Antitrust and Passenger Vehicle Replacement Tires Antitrust).
Depo-Provera (MDL-3140) remains the fastest-growing MDL with another 279 cases added (3,490 → 3,769). Bard PowerPort (MDL-3081) crossed the 3,000-case mark with +143 cases ahead of its first bellwether trial. The active docket count rose to 159 with 3 new MDLs added and 2 terminated.
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.
Get the Next MDL Report in Your Inbox
Join attorneys who receive JPML data analysis the day it's published. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
You'll receive the next MDL report when it's published.
Largest Active MDLs
Top 25 = 95.9% of all cases| # | MDL | Litigation | District | Pending | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDL-2738 | Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder | NJ | 67,623 | +247 |
| 2 | MDL-2846 | Bard Polypropylene Hernia Mesh | OHS | 23,703 | +10 |
| 3 | MDL-2873 | AFFF Firefighting Foam | SC | 15,232 | +10 |
| 4 | MDL-3060 | Hair Relaxer Products | ILN | 11,526 | +155 |
| 5 | MDL-2789 | Proton-Pump Inhibitor (No. II) | NJ | 11,322 | 0 |
| 6 | MDL-2666 | Bair Hugger Warming Devices | MN | 8,545 | -5 |
| 7 | MDL-3004 | Paraquat Herbicide | ILS | 6,580 | +38 |
| 8 | MDL-2570 | Cook Medical IVC Filters | INS | 6,562 | -7 |
| 9 | MDL-2974 | Paragard IUD | GAN | 3,984 | +2 |
| 10 | MDL-2741 | Roundup Weedkiller | CAN | 3,903 | +19 |
| 11 | MDL-3140 | Depo-Provera | FLN | 3,769 | +279 |
| 12 | MDL-3094 | GLP-1/Ozempic | PAE | 3,636 | +90 |
| 13 | MDL-3084 | Uber Sexual Assault | CAN | 3,437 | +46 |
| 14 | MDL-3081 | Bard PowerPort Catheter | AZ | 3,187 | +143 |
| 15 | MDL-2804 | National Prescription Opiates | OHN | 2,932 | -9 |
| 16 | MDL-3047 | Social Media Adolescent Addiction | CAN | 2,527 | +62 |
| 17 | MDL-3029 | Covidien Hernia Mesh | MA | 2,396 | +9 |
| 18 | MDL-3044 | Exactech Orthopedic | NYE | 1,838 | 0 |
| 19 | MDL-3092 | Suboxone Film | OHN | 1,832 | -4 |
| 20 | MDL-2921 | Allergan Breast Implant | NJ | 1,488 | +3 |
| 21 | MDL-2875 | Valsartan Blood Pressure | NJ | 1,424 | +4 |
| 22 | MDL-2924 | Zantac/Ranitidine | FLS | 847 | 0 |
| 23 | MDL-2848 | Zostavax Shingles Vaccine | PAE | 826 | 0 |
| 24 | MDL-3026 | Preterm Infant Formula/NEC | ILN | 797 | +15 |
| 25 | MDL-2740 | Taxotere Chemotherapy | LAE | 508 | -175 |
New MDLs Centralized in May 2026
Five new MDLs were centralized by the JPML this month.
Patent litigation involving Rare Breed forced reset triggers, transferred to the Eastern District of Texas under Chief Judge Mazzant.
Consumer product MDL involving ByHeart infant formula marketing and product liability claims.
Antitrust MDL involving alleged price-fixing in the fire apparatus equipment market.
Fastest Growing Litigation
Key Trend: Depo-Provera (MDL-3140) added another 279 cases in May, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing MDL with 3,769 pending actions. Bard PowerPort (MDL-3081) added 143 cases following the start of its first bellwether trial in late April.
Track MDL Trends for Your Practice
Get customized monthly MDL intelligence delivered to your inbox. Know which dockets are growing, which are settling, and where the next wave of litigation is headed.
- Monthly JPML data within 24 hours of release
- Case count changes across all active dockets
- New MDL creation alerts & trend analysis
- Fastest-growing docket spotlights
You're on the List
We'll send you MDL intelligence when the next JPML report drops. Check your inbox for a confirmation.
MDLs with Case Reductions
Taxotere Chemotherapy
Elmiron
National Prescription Opiates
Cook Medical IVC Filters
Bair Hugger Warming Devices
MDLs Terminated in May 2026
Two antitrust MDLs were terminated by the JPML in May 2026.
Antitrust litigation alleging Jazz Pharmaceuticals delayed generic competition for narcolepsy drug Xyrem through reverse-payment patent settlements. Resolved through final dispositions of remaining cases.
Antitrust litigation alleging tire manufacturers conspired to fix prices for passenger vehicle replacement tires. The MDL terminated in May 2026 after resolution of consolidated proceedings.
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 | 81,857 | 41% |
| 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 | 6,562 | 3.3% |
| 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: May 1, 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.
Never Miss Critical MDL Data
The JPML publishes new case counts on the first business day of each month. Get our analysis delivered straight to your inbox — before your competitors see it.
Explore More MDL Data
Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content.
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.