September 2026 MDL Statistics Report
Comprehensive analysis of federal multidistrict litigation data from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
September 2026 Overview
The September 2026 JPML report shows 206,182 pending actions across 166 active dockets. Pending cases grew by 642 from August (+0.3%), the smallest monthly gain of 2026 so far. The panel returned to expansion this month, centralizing five new MDLs and terminating one for a net gain of four dockets. Transferee judges rose to 142 while transferee districts edged down to 50.
Hair Relaxer (MDL-3060) led all gainers, adding 350 cases to reach 12,129. J&J Talcum Powder (MDL-2738) added 336 (to 69,250), remaining by far the largest active MDL; its proposed $5.5 billion settlement of roughly 76,000 ovarian talc claims, announced July 27, 2026, is not yet final. Uber Sexual Assault (MDL-3084) rose +191 (to 4,588) and Depo-Provera (MDL-3140) added +109 (to 6,403) in the wake of its June 15 global settlement in principle.
Other gainers included GLP-1/Ozempic (MDL-3094, +94 to 4,022), Proton-Pump Inhibitor (MDL-2789, +83), and Social Media Addiction (MDL-3047, +71). Among the smallest dockets, Rare Breed Triggers (MDL-3176, +36) and Lyft Sexual Assault (MDL-3171, +34) grew fastest in percentage terms. Bard PowerPort (MDL-3081) was flat this month after months of steady growth.
On the other side, Zostavax (MDL-2848) fell sharply (826 → 101, −725) as its shingles-vaccine litigation winds down, with smaller declines at Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing (MDL-2724, −74) and Taxotere (MDL-2740, −55), reflecting continued settlement and resolution activity. The federal MDL system remains highly concentrated: the top 5 dockets account for 63.7% of all pending actions and the top 25 for 95.9%.
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Largest Active MDLs
Top 25 = 95.9% of all cases| # | MDL | Litigation | District | Pending | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDL-2738 | Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder | NJ | 69,250 | +336 |
| 2 | MDL-2846 | Bard Polypropylene Hernia Mesh | OHS | 23,316 | -5 |
| 3 | MDL-2873 | AFFF Firefighting Foam | SC | 15,264 | +18 |
| 4 | MDL-3060 | Hair Relaxer Products | ILN | 12,129 | +350 |
| 5 | MDL-2789 | Proton-Pump Inhibitor (No. II) | NJ | 11,404 | +83 |
| 6 | MDL-2666 | Bair Hugger Warming Devices | MN | 8,433 | +26 |
| 7 | MDL-3004 | Paraquat Herbicide | ILS | 6,666 | +1 |
| 8 | MDL-2570 | Cook Medical IVC Filters | INS | 6,501 | -36 |
| 9 | MDL-3140 | Depo-Provera | FLN | 6,403 | +109 |
| 10 | MDL-3084 | Uber Sexual Assault | CAN | 4,588 | +191 |
| 11 | MDL-2974 | Paragard IUD | GAN | 4,185 | +29 |
| 12 | MDL-3094 | GLP-1/Ozempic | PAE | 4,022 | +94 |
| 13 | MDL-2741 | Roundup Weedkiller | CAN | 3,925 | -7 |
| 14 | MDL-3081 | Bard PowerPort Catheter | AZ | 3,734 | 0 |
| 15 | MDL-3047 | Social Media Adolescent Addiction | CAN | 3,208 | +71 |
| 16 | MDL-2804 | National Prescription Opiates | OHN | 2,907 | -8 |
| 17 | MDL-3029 | Covidien Hernia Mesh | MA | 2,453 | +4 |
| 18 | MDL-3044 | Exactech Orthopedic | NYE | 1,838 | 0 |
| 19 | MDL-3092 | Suboxone Film | OHN | 1,827 | 0 |
| 20 | MDL-2875 | Valsartan Blood Pressure | NJ | 1,412 | -5 |
| 21 | MDL-2921 | Allergan Breast Implant | NJ | 1,370 | -7 |
| 22 | MDL-2924 | Zantac/Ranitidine | FLS | 847 | 0 |
| 23 | MDL-3026 | Preterm Infant Formula/NEC | ILN | 847 | +22 |
| 24 | MDL-3014 | Philips CPAP/Ventilator Recall | PAW | 624 | 0 |
| 25 | MDL-2243 | Fosamax | NJ | 562 | +13 |
Docket Changes in September 2026
The active docket count rose by four to 166 in September 2026: five new MDLs were centralized and one was terminated. It is the largest single-month increase in docket count since March 2026.
Newly Centralized
- MDL-3189 — Norada Entities Securities Litigation · C.D. Cal., Judge Michelle Williams Court · 46 pending (securities)
- MDL-3191 — Non-AFFF Firefighter Turnout Gear Products Liability Litigation · D. Minn., Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan · 8 pending (PFAS in firefighter turnout gear; kept separate from the AFFF MDL)
- MDL-3193 — Health Gorilla, Inc. Data Security Breach Litigation · S.D. Fla., Judge K. Michael Moore · 10 pending (data breach)
- MDL-3190 — Valtrus Innovations Ltd. Patent Litigation · E.D. Tex., Judge James Rodney Gilstrap · 12 pending (patent)
- MDL-3192 — CoStar Group, Inc. Antitrust Litigation · E.D. Va., Judge David J. Novak · 3 pending (antitrust)
Terminated
- MDL-3132 — Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. Patent Litigation · present in August (0 pending), absent from the September report
Fastest Growing Litigation
Key Trend: September's net gain was the smallest of 2026 (+642), but the top of the table stayed active. Hair Relaxer (MDL-3060, +350) and J&J Talcum Powder (MDL-2738, +336) led the gainers, followed by Uber (MDL-3084, +191) and Depo-Provera (MDL-3140, +109), whose growth continues after its June 15 global settlement in principle. The ten fastest-growing MDLs together added roughly 1,330 cases.
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MDLs with Case Reductions
Zostavax Shingles Vaccine
Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing
Taxotere Chemotherapy
Cook Medical IVC Filters
Atrium C-Qur Mesh
National Prescription Opiates
MDL Distribution by Litigation Type
| Category | MDLs | Pending | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Products | 9 | 89,707 | 43.5% |
| Medical Device | 24 | 53,457 | 25.9% |
| Pharmaceutical | 22 | 31,333 | 15.2% |
| Agricultural/Environmental | 5 | 25,864 | 12.5% |
| Other / Sales Practices | 43 | 3,646 | 1.8% |
| Data Breach/Privacy | 21 | 1,140 | 0.6% |
| Antitrust | 42 | 1,035 | 0.5% |
MDL Distribution by Federal District
| # | District | Full Name | MDLs | Pending | % Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NJ | District of New Jersey | 13 | 84,917 | 41.2% |
| 2 | OHS | Southern District of Ohio | 2 | 23,323 | 11.3% |
| 3 | SC | District of South Carolina | 2 | 15,290 | 7.4% |
| 4 | ILN | Northern District of Illinois | 12 | 14,119 | 6.8% |
| 5 | CAN | Northern District of California | 19 | 13,228 | 6.4% |
| 6 | MN | District of Minnesota | 9 | 8,824 | 4.3% |
| 7 | ILS | Southern District of Illinois | 1 | 6,666 | 3.2% |
| 8 | INS | Southern District of Indiana | 1 | 6,501 | 3.2% |
| 9 | FLN | Northern District of Florida | 2 | 6,405 | 3.1% |
| 10 | OHN | Northern District of Ohio | 3 | 4,847 | 2.4% |
District of New Jersey Dominance: The District of New Jersey continues to host the lion's share of pending MDL actions at 41.2%, driven primarily by the massive J&J Talcum Powder (69,250 cases) and Proton-Pump Inhibitor (11,404 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: July 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.
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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.