If you have been injured by a defective drug, medical device, or consumer product, your case may be consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation, or MDL. MDLs are how the federal court system handles modern mass-tort cases efficiently. Understanding what an MDL is — and what it is not — helps you make informed decisions about your case.
What is an MDL?
A multidistrict litigation is a procedure under 28 U.S.C. § 1407 that allows the federal courts to consolidate similar civil cases — often thousands — that have been filed in different federal districts around the country, and assign them to a single federal judge for coordinated pretrial handling. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, made up of seven federal judges, decides whether to create an MDL, and if so, which judge and district receive the consolidated cases.
How is an MDL different from a class action?
Class actions and MDLs are not the same thing.
- In a class action, one or a few representatives sue on behalf of an entire class. There is one verdict or settlement that binds the whole class.
- In an MDL, every plaintiff retains an individual case. The cases are joined for pretrial procedures — discovery, expert challenges, dispositive motions — but each plaintiff’s claim and damages remain individual.
- Most modern drug and device litigation proceeds as an MDL, not as a class action, because individual injury, exposure, and causation facts vary too much to be litigated on a class-wide basis.
How does an MDL move through the court?
- Initial filing. Cases are filed in federal courts around the country.
- JPML transfer. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reviews motions to consolidate and assigns the consolidated MDL to a federal district judge.
- Master pleadings and case-management orders. The MDL judge appoints a plaintiffs’ steering committee, which files master pleadings and coordinates pretrial proceedings.
- Common-issue discovery. The parties conduct centralized discovery on issues common to all plaintiffs — most importantly, what the defendant knew about the risk and when.
- Bellwether trials. A small number of representative cases are tried first. These verdicts are not binding on the rest of the MDL, but they signal value to both sides.
- Global settlement or remand. Either the parties reach a global or matrix settlement framework, or the cases are remanded to their original districts for individual trials.
How long does an MDL take?
Timelines vary widely. Some MDLs resolve in three to four years; others take a decade or more. The drivers are scientific complexity, the willingness of the defendant to settle, the volume of cases, and the speed of bellwether trials.
Current MDLs our firm investigates
Status notes are general and change. Verify case-specific status with our office before relying on this table. Last reviewed: April 29, 2026.
| Drug or device | MDL number | Court | General status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 receptor agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, etc.) | MDL 3094 | EDPA | Active; bellwether selection underway |
| Acetaminophen (autism / ADHD) | MDL 3043 | SDNY | Daubert ruling adverse to plaintiffs in 2023; investigation continuing for new science |
| Hair relaxer (uterine / endometrial) | MDL 3060 | NDIL | Active; ongoing discovery |
| Talcum powder (J&J ovarian / mesothelioma) | MDL 2738 | DNJ | Long-running; settlement discussions and bankruptcy proceedings active |
| Paragard IUD | MDL 2974 | NDGA | Active; bellwether process |
| Bard PowerPort | MDL 3081 | D Ariz. | Active |
| Depo-Provera (meningioma) | MDL pending | Various | Recently consolidated; intake active |
| NEC infant formula | MDL 3026 | NDIL | Active; trial verdicts entered |
| Roundup (NHL) | MDL 2741 | NDCA | Long-running; partial settlements; new claims by exposure date |
| Paraquat (Parkinson’s) | MDL 3004 | SDIL | Active; bellwether process |
| Social media addiction | MDL 3047 | NDCA | Active; large multi-platform consolidated |
Why a Pennsylvania firm matters — the EDPA Ozempic MDL
The federal Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists MDL is consolidated in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Our firm regularly practices in EDPA. Local counsel adds procedural and practical advantages, including familiarity with EDPA local rules, the bench, and scheduling orders that govern this MDL.
What does an MDL case cost a plaintiff?
Mass-tort cases of this kind are handled on a contingency-fee basis. The fee is paid out of any recovery; if there is no recovery, there is no fee and no out-of-pocket cost to you for our evaluation. The contingency rate and any litigation-cost recovery terms are set out in the engagement paperwork you sign with our firm — you have a chance to review and ask questions before you sign.
Glossary
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bellwether trial | A test trial of a representative case used to evaluate the strength of claims and defenses across the MDL. |
| Daubert challenge | A motion to exclude expert testimony on the ground that it is not based on reliable scientific methods. |
| Direct filing | A procedural order that lets plaintiffs file directly into the MDL court rather than filing in a home district and waiting for transfer. |
| JPML | Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation — the seven-judge panel that decides whether to create an MDL and where to put it. |
| Master complaint | A consolidated pleading that sets out the legal claims common to all plaintiffs in the MDL. |
| Plaintiffs’ steering committee (PSC) | A group of plaintiffs’ attorneys appointed by the MDL judge to coordinate pretrial proceedings on behalf of all plaintiffs. |
| Remand | The transfer of an individual MDL case back to its originating federal district for trial. |
| Settlement matrix | A formula assigning settlement values to claims based on injury severity and proof. |
If you have a potential drug or device claim and want to understand how an MDL might affect your case, contact our office for a free evaluation.