As we move into 2025, mass tort litigation is set to continue evolving, with both long-running cases and potentially groundbreaking new claims making headlines. The coming year promises to see significant developments in cases involving toxic exposure, consumer products, social media, and even the food industry. Below, we highlight some of the top mass tort cases to keep an eye on in 2025, as they could shape the future of corporate liability and legal accountability.
1. ‘Forever Chemicals’ – The Ongoing PFAS Crisis
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been used for decades in various consumer and industrial products. These chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment and the human body, are linked to serious health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues. In recent years, growing evidence of these dangers has sparked widespread litigation against major chemical companies.
Already, several large chemical firms have settled claims with U.S. water systems, collectively paying over $11 billion to resolve allegations of PFAS contamination in water supplies. However, litigation surrounding PFAS exposure is far from over, with thousands of personal injury claims still pending. Many of these cases involve individuals who developed cancer from exposure to firefighting foam containing PFAS, primarily affecting firefighters and airport personnel involved in training exercises.
The first bellwether trials are scheduled for 2025 in federal court in South Carolina, where the majority of the claims are centralized. Additionally, new categories of PFAS-related claims are emerging, such as those targeting the presence of these chemicals in consumer product packaging. As the full scope of PFAS contamination and its associated health risks continues to unfold, this litigation is expected to expand in the coming year.
2. Social Media and Mental Health: A Growing Legal Battleground
In 2024, litigation accusing social media giants like Meta (Facebook), TikTok owner ByteDance, and Google gained momentum, with numerous lawsuits challenging the impact of social media on teen addiction and mental health. These cases are brought by families and school districts, arguing that social media companies’ algorithms are fueling harmful behaviors among young users, resulting in addiction and psychological harm.
With many of these lawsuits surviving early motions to dismiss, 2025 could see a critical turning point as the first bellwether trials are scheduled for October in California federal court. The lawsuits are based on novel legal theories, applying traditional toxic tort claims to the algorithms that power social media platforms. The outcome of these cases could set a precedent for future litigation against tech companies and may pave the way for potential settlements.
The social media giants have denied the allegations, asserting that they have implemented measures to protect users. However, with public awareness around the mental health effects of social media growing, these cases are likely to continue shaping the conversation around tech regulation and accountability.
3. Bayer’s Roundup: Round Two in the Fight Over Glyphosate
Bayer’s battle over its weedkiller Roundup is far from over, despite the company’s attempt to close the chapter with a $10.9 billion settlement in 2020. The company still faces over 50,000 lawsuits claiming that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer. While Bayer has won many of the trials, it has also faced significant jury verdicts, including a $1 billion judgment, even after appeals.
With no clear end in sight, the company is hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in, potentially ruling that the plaintiffs’ claims are preempted by federal law. This could be a pivotal moment in the litigation, especially in light of a recent circuit split. In the meantime, Roundup trials will continue throughout 2025, with their outcomes likely influencing whether Bayer pursues a new settlement or continues to fight the claims in court.
4. Baby Formula Lawsuits: A High-Stakes Case for Medical Liability
A major litigation case involving baby formula manufacturers Abbott and Reckitt Benckiser’s Mead Johnson has gained attention over the past year. The lawsuits allege that formula products for premature infants caused necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a deadly bowel disease. In 2024, the companies faced a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson and a staggering $495 million judgment against Abbott.
Despite winning a recent trial, both companies are still dealing with close to 1,000 cases that remain pending. The litigation has raised concerns not only among investors but also within the medical community. Many doctors argue that the science behind the lawsuits is flawed, and they worry that these cases could threaten the availability of critical formula products used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The ongoing litigation will remain a closely watched area, with potential implications for both corporate liability and medical practice.
5. Ultra-Processed Foods: The Emerging Mass Tort Frontier
An emerging lawsuit filed at the end of 2024 could open the door to a new era in U.S. mass tort litigation. An 18-year-old plaintiff from Pennsylvania has sued a dozen major food companies, accusing them of deliberately engineering and marketing ultra-processed foods to be addictive, leading to chronic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
This case has generated attention due to the increasing focus on the health risks of ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to a variety of health problems. However, the lawsuit faces significant challenges, such as the lack of a universally accepted definition of “ultra-processed” foods and the difficulty in identifying specific harmful substances in the products. Still, as the debate around food regulation intensifies, the outcome of this case could set the stage for future litigation against food manufacturers, particularly as more attention is paid to the public health impact of processed food consumption.
As we look ahead to 2025, the landscape of mass tort litigation promises to evolve rapidly, with ongoing battles in well-established areas like PFAS and Roundup, while new and innovative cases, such as those involving social media and processed foods, could pave the way for a shift in legal paradigms. Whether these cases result in settlements, sweeping regulations, or landmark legal precedents, one thing is certain: 2025 will be a year to watch for those interested in the intersection of law, corporate accountability, and public health.
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