Mass Torts to Watch in 2025

The landscape of mass torts in 2025 builds on the active litigation from the past few years. New and emerging claims on untested issues, like mental health harms from social media and processed food addiction, stand to make 2025 a standout year for torts. Here’s just a sampling of some cases to watch as the ear unfolds. 

PFAS: Forever chemicals

There have already been significant settlements over the harmful effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most notably, 3M had a $10.3 billion settlement in 2023 with U.S. water systems because of PFAS pollution. Litigation over PFAS in various arenas could continue as these chemicals are in products as diverse as packaging and carpets. 

One major piece of litigation involves PFAS in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs), a type of foam firefighters use in training and on the job. In 2023, the Department of Defense issued guidance that mandated foams on military bases combat fires without the use of PFAS. 

The class action suit claiming hundreds of firefighters developed cancer because of foam containing PFAS continues into 2025.

Social media

Several lawsuits claim social media companies, such as Meta, Google, and ByteDance, enabled teen addiction to the platforms and caused numerous mental health issues. Plaintiffs include families of impacted teens as well as school districts that had to fight social media harms. 

In October 2025, the first trials begin, with novel legal arguments anticipated. Attorneys are expected to rely on law that has worked to protect people from toxic environmental substances. It should be compelling to see whether these are successful to win claims against social media companies and their use of algorithms.   

Roundup weedkiller

Bayer has paid out billions in settlements after claims the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, causes cancer. Roundup is made by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018. Despite the settling of about two-thirds of lawsuits, there are more than 54,000 cases still pending. Bayer has won many of these cases at trial but has also had juries rule against them, leading to large verdicts. It’s therefore uncertain where these cases might go in 2025.

Ultra processed food

In December 2024, a resident of Pennsylvania sued a number of food companies claiming they designed and marketed food that was addictive to children. The man was diagnosed at age 16 with type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 

It remains to be seen whether the suit will have any traction, as the lawsuit does not specify what in the food caused the harm. Nonetheless, it remains in the “one to watch” category, as lawyers invite queries from others who might have experienced harm because of processed food. If the single lawsuit sees some success, it might open a new area of mass tort litigation. 

Preterm infant formula

Two large verdicts in 2024 opened the door for increased litigation surrounding preterm infant formula sold by Mead Johnson and Abbott. Plaintiffs alleged the formula caused the bowel disease necrotizing enterocolitis. The large verdicts saw Mean Johnson on the hook for $60 million and Abbott for $495 million. 

The companies won a trial late last year on the same issue, but about 1,000 cases still remain to be litigated. There is some medical debate about the underlying issue, as some doctors claim the formula is essential to preterm babies. Their assertion is that breastfed infants have greater protection against this bowel disease, not that formula causes it. 

3M earplug lawsuit

Back in January, 2024, 3M settled a class action over faulty earplugs provided to military personnel. The company agreed to pay $6 billion to servicemembers who had injuries because of the earplugs, such as hearing loss. Although this settlement was reached over a year ago, there remain just shy of 100,000 cases outstanding. This continues to be an issue to watch as the company, lawyers, and claimants finally resolve these claims.

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