As we head into 2026, several major lawsuits are reaching pivotal moments that could reshape mass tort litigation, product liability law, and corporate accountability across the United States. From billion-dollar talc verdicts to newly formed multidistrict litigations (MDLs) involving prescription drugs, medical devices, and social media platforms, courts are increasingly sending a clear message: juries—not corporations—should decide questions of safety, harm, and responsibility.
Below is a clear look at the most important lawsuits to watch in 2026 and why they matter.
In 2026, courts will hear bellwether trials in the Paragard IUD MDL, continue appeals and trials in billion-dollar talc cancer cases against Johnson & Johnson, advance a new GLP-1 vision-loss MDL, and move forward with social media addiction and Roblox sexual abuse litigation involving thousands of plaintiffs nationwide.
Talc litigation reached a historic turning point in late 2025, with juries delivering some of the largest verdicts ever seen in asbestos-related cancer cases.
Johnson & Johnson continues to deny liability, insisting its talc products were safe and asbestos-free. The company has announced plans to appeal these verdicts, calling them unconstitutional.
Notably:
What to expect in 2026:
Additional trials, continued appeals, and increasing pressure for large-scale settlement discussions as jury verdicts continue to favor plaintiffs.
Were you or a loved one diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using talcum powder?
A second federal Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 3176) involving GLP-1 medications was recently established in December 2025 for lawsuits alleging the drugs cause vision loss. This new MDL is expected to be a major focus in 2026, alongside an existing MDL (MDL No. 3094) concerning severe gastrointestinal injuries.
As of December 2025, nearly 2,947 lawsuits have been filed by patients alleging they suffered Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)—a sudden and often permanent form of vision loss—after taking GLP-1 drugs.
MDLs streamline discovery, ensure all parties have access to the same evidence, and help courts determine whether bellwether trials or global settlements are appropriate.
What to expect in 2026:
Expert discovery, plaintiff fact sheets, and early bellwether planning as courts examine the scientific link between GLP-1 drugs and vision loss.
Experienced sudden vision loss after Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, or Rybelsus®?
In December 2025, federal courts consolidated 80 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse and exploitation on the Roblox platform.
The cases are now proceeding through consolidated discovery, with bellwether trials expected if a global settlement is not reached first.
What to expect in 2026:
Review of internal safety policies, expert testimony on child-protection failures, and heightened scrutiny of online gaming platforms.
Was your child harmed while using Roblox or another online platform?
In 2026, social media addiction lawsuits will move into bellwether trials, testing claims that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat were intentionally designed to addict children and teenagers. These early trials—expected to begin with individual injury cases, followed by school district lawsuits—could significantly shape nationwide settlement negotiations.
Defendants, including Meta Platforms, ByteDance, Snap, and Google, argue that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields them from liability. Courts, however, have rejected that defense where claims focus on addictive design features—such as algorithms, push notifications, and infinite scrolling—rather than user-generated content.
As these cases advance, social media executives are expected to be questioned under oath, with discovery and testimony examining what company leadership knew about the mental-health risks to youth and why addictive features remained in place.
Thousands of lawsuits allege the Paragard IUD (copper intrauterine device) has a design defect causing its plastic arms to break during removal, leading to severe pain, infection, organ damage, infertility, and requiring surgeries like hysterectomies. These cases are consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in Georgia, with bellwether trials (test cases) starting in 2026, after a judge dismissed some design defect claims but allowed failure-to-warn claims to proceed. Defendants include CooperSurgical and Teva Pharmaceuticals, who are accused of failing to warn users about these serious risks, with plaintiffs seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain/suffering.
Judge: Leigh Martin May
Plaintiffs allege the copper IUD’s plastic arms:
Defendants include Teva Pharmaceuticals and CooperSurgical.
With over 3,600 active cases, these bellwether trials are expected to strongly influence settlement negotiations.
Did your Paragard IUD break or require surgical removal?
2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for mass tort litigation. Bellwether trials, billion-dollar verdicts, and newly formed MDLs will help determine settlement values, corporate accountability, and whether injured individuals gain meaningful access to compensation.
Across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products, and technology platforms, courts are signaling a clear message: claims of serious harm deserve to be heard by juries.
Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro (SSKB) represents individuals and families harmed by dangerous products, defective drugs and medical devices, and institutional failures nationwide. Our attorneys are actively litigating major mass torts and MDLs while providing personalized, client-focused representation.