The Most Active Class Action Mass Torts in 2024: Key Cases Shaping the Legal Landscape

As we move through 2024, several high-profile class action mass torts have captured the attention of the legal community, media, and the public. These cases, involving thousands of plaintiffs and complex legal issues, are significant not only for their potential financial impacts but also for their implications on corporate accountability, public health, and consumer rights. Here’s a look at some of the most active and influential mass torts currently unfolding in 2024.

1. Opioid Litigation

The opioid crisis continues to be one of the most significant public health challenges in the United States, and the legal battles surrounding it are far from over. In 2024, the ongoing opioid litigation remains a central focus, with numerous states, municipalities, and individual plaintiffs pursuing claims against pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and pharmacies.

These lawsuits allege that these entities played a crucial role in fueling the opioid epidemic through aggressive marketing practices, misleading information about the risks of addiction, and failing to monitor and control the distribution of opioids. Several major settlements have already been reached, but litigation continues as plaintiffs seek further accountability and compensation for the widespread harm caused by opioid addiction.

The outcome of these cases is expected to set important precedents for corporate responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry and could influence future litigation related to public health crises.

2. PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Litigation

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have been at the center of environmental and health-related mass torts for several years. These chemicals, found in a wide range of products including firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, and water-repellent fabrics, have been linked to serious health issues such as cancer, liver damage, and reproductive problems.

In 2024, the litigation surrounding PFAS has intensified, with thousands of lawsuits filed against manufacturers like 3M and DuPont. Plaintiffs allege that these companies knowingly produced and sold PFAS-containing products without adequate warnings about their potential health risks, leading to widespread environmental contamination and exposure.

These cases are significant not only for their potential financial impact but also for the broader implications regarding environmental regulation and corporate accountability for chemical safety.

3. Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits have gained significant momentum in 2024, following the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in 2022. This legislation allows veterans, their families, and civilian workers who were exposed to toxic water at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to file claims for damages.

The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with hazardous chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and benzene, which have been linked to various cancers, neurological disorders, and other serious health conditions. The ongoing litigation seeks to hold the federal government accountable for the harm caused by the contaminated water, and it has already resulted in thousands of claims being filed.

This mass tort is particularly noteworthy because it represents a significant shift in how the U.S. government handles claims related to military-related injuries and illnesses, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving government responsibility.

4. Zantac Litigation

The litigation surrounding Zantac (ranitidine), a popular heartburn medication, remains one of the most active mass torts in 2024. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered that Zantac and its generic versions contained unsafe levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen. This led to a nationwide recall of the drug and a flood of lawsuits from consumers who developed cancer after taking Zantac.

Plaintiffs in these cases allege that pharmaceutical companies failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks associated with the drug and that they continued to market and sell Zantac despite knowing about the potential dangers. The litigation involves complex scientific evidence regarding the link between NDMA and various types of cancer, making it one of the most closely watched mass torts of the year.

As the cases progress, the outcomes could have far-reaching implications for drug safety and the responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies in ensuring the safety of their products.

5. Johnson & Johnson Talc Litigation

Johnson & Johnson continues to face extensive litigation related to its talc-based products, particularly baby powder, which plaintiffs claim caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma due to asbestos contamination. Although the company has consistently denied the presence of asbestos in its products and the connection to cancer, it has faced thousands of lawsuits and significant financial penalties in previous years.

In 2024, the talc litigation remains a key focus, with new cases being filed and ongoing appeals in several high-profile verdicts. Johnson & Johnson’s decision to discontinue the sale of talc-based baby powder in certain markets has not quelled the legal battles, and the company’s attempts to resolve claims through a bankruptcy strategy have faced significant legal challenges.

The resolution of these cases could have a major impact on product liability law and corporate strategies for managing large-scale litigation.

The mass torts dominating the legal landscape in 2024 reflect a broader trend of increased corporate accountability and consumer protection. As these cases unfold, they will not only determine compensation for thousands of plaintiffs but also shape the future of legal standards and regulations across various industries. The outcomes of these litigations are likely to influence public policy, corporate behavior, and the rights of individuals for years to come, making them some of the most critical legal battles of our time.