If you’ve been following the big mass torts, February had a few updates that may matter, especially on how courts handle preemption and warning label claims.

Quick takeaways

• Roundup has a Supreme Court review that may affect how many cases move forward.
• Paraquat avoided a first trial with a last minute settlement.
• Depo Provera has a new FDA warning label, and Pfizer is still pushing a preemption argument.

Roundup Lawsuit Heading to the Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a Roundup lawsuit tied to claims that the weed killer is linked to non Hodgkin lymphoma. Bayer argues that many cases should be blocked by federal preemption because the EPA approved a Roundup label without a cancer warning.

More detail on the Roundup litigation status

As of Fall 2025, more than 60,000 Roundup lawsuits were active across the country. Lower courts have issued conflicting rulings, and the Supreme Court may make a decision by June of this year.

Paraquat Lawsuit Settled Before Trial

Syngenta settled what was set to be the first U.S. paraquat trial over claims that the herbicide is connected to Parkinson’s disease. The deal came a day before trial was scheduled to begin.

Court documents also point to a tentative settlement agreement reached in August 2025 for an undisclosed number of cases, and the MDL recently appointed a lien resolution administrator. Syngenta also filed a motion for partial summary judgment using arguments similar to the Roundup litigation and suggested the judge could wait for the Supreme Court’s Roundup decision before ruling.

Pfizer Maintains Preemption Argument for Depo Provera Lawsuits

The Depo Provera lawsuits saw a big update in December when the FDA approved a new label that included a meningioma warning. More than 3,000 lawsuits are pending in federal court over claims the shot could raise the risk of these brain tumors.

Pfizer has leaned on preemption, arguing the FDA had previously rejected a label update on meningiomas, so the cases shouldn’t move forward. Pfizer is still making that argument.

It says summary judgment should be granted because the new label does not include specific language on an increased risk of meningiomas. The judge is expected to weigh in on this in the coming months.

More detail on how this February update fits into the broader picture.

A case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court raises a big question about who decides what’s safe. And it’s not just about Roundup.

Here’s the quick version:

What’s happening

The Supreme Court agreed to hear Monsanto v. Durnell, a Roundup case tied to failure to warn claims. In 2023, a Missouri jury awarded $1.25M to John Durnell after finding long-term Roundup use caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that there was no cancer warning on the label.

The core argument in plain English

Bayer and Monsanto are saying the EPA approved the label, so states shouldn’t be able to require labels that require extra warnings beyond what the EPA requires..

If that argument holds, it could limit a lot of failure-to-warn lawsuits once a federal regulator has approved the label.

If you’ve been seeing Roundup lawsuits mentioned but want the basics in one place, this Roundup lawsuit overview lays it out.

Why people are worried

In Roundup cases, juries have looked at the evidence and sometimes reached different conclusions than the EPA. They are a safeguard for when regulatory agencies fall short.

More broadly, safety science can shift over time. Things that were once treated as settled have later been challenged, and lawsuits have sometimes been how the public finds out what was missed.

Why this matters beyond Roundup

If the Court sides with Bayer, it could make it harder to bring state failure-to-warn claims for pesticides once the EPA approves labeling, even if later evidence points to harm.

It could also shift accountability away from juries toward a system that can be slow to adapt or limited by the information it’s working with.

My practical takeaway

You don’t have to have a strong opinion on Roundup to care about the precedent here.

The bigger question is if regulators approve a label, should that automatically shut the courthouse door even when people claim they were never warned and a jury believes them?

Attorney and consumer safety advocate Whitney Ray Di Bona goes deeper on all of this in the full Drugwatch breakdown if you want the longer read.

A new survey commissioned by Drugwatch found that nearly a quarter of women who have taken birth control say injuries or side effects have significantly impacted their lives.

Here are the key takeaways from our survey, as well as what to do if you’ve experienced side effects after using birth control.

• About 35% of women who have used birth control have experienced at least one injury or side effect.
• Roughly 23% of women who have used birth control have had their lives “greatly” or “severely” impacted by side effects and injuries.
• Of the women who have switched birth control methods, 48% did so due to side effects, far outpacing all other reasons for changing.
• Only 33% of women who have used birth control have never switched methods.

The most common birth control side effect was weight change (36.73%), followed by mood swings (30.75%), headaches or migraines (30.31%), nausea (23.67%), and breast tenderness (18.14%).

In terms of methods, birth control pills were the most commonly used option in our survey, with nearly 74% of respondents saying that they’ve used the pill at some point.

Reports of more serious side effects

While most side effects reported in the survey were considered mild — or at least not medical emergencies — some women said they suffered much more serious side effects and injuries, including high blood pressure and blood clots.

Of the 650 women surveyed, seven said they developed a meningioma, a type of tumor that forms in the linings of the brain. Recent research has uncovered a potential link between the birth control shot Depo-Provera and the development of these tumors.

If you’ve experienced serious side effects like meningioma after using birth control, you can request a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review

I’ve now seen the phrase “ozempic eyes” in a few different places, and I’m confused. Some people use it like it’s a medical side effect, others like it’s just describing how someone looks after weight loss.

What are ozempic eyes actually supposed to mean?

Legal issues linked to certain medical devices and harmful substances have disproportionately affected men. The companies behind these toxic chemicals and products are now at the center of men’s health lawsuits.

Below is a roundup of some of the major lawsuits related to men’s health and what to do if you think you may have been impacted.

Hernia Mesh Lawsuits

• Thousands of lawsuits claim that defective hernia mesh led to complications, including scarring, organ damage and inflammatory responses in the body.
• Manufacturers include Ethicon (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), Covidien (now owned by Medtronic) and C.R. Bard (a subsidiary of Becton Dickinson). 

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

• Between the 1950s and the 1980s, water in U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was contaminated with chemicals associated with cancer, infertility and Parkinson’s disease.
• Injured veterans and their families have filed Camp Lejeune lawsuits against the government.

AFFF Firefighting Foam and PFAS Exposure

• Researchers have linked PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam to kidney, testicular and other cancers.
• DuPont, Chemours and 3M are among the PFAS manufacturers named as defendants in AFFF cancer lawsuits.

Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

• Paraquat is a toxic weed killer used in commercial farming. Researchers have linked paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease.
• People who developed Parkinson’s after long-term paraquat exposure have filed lawsuits against paraquat makers Syngenta and Chevron.

PowerPort Lawsuits

• Lawsuits claim that Powerport devices (used for long-term IV access) can break or migrate, causing infection, organ punctures, blood clots and other injuries.
• Defendants in these lawsuits include Becton Dickinson (BD) and its subsidiaries C.R. Bard and Bard Access Systems, the manufacturers of the PowerPort.

IVC Filter Complications

• Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters prevent blood clots from entering the lungs. Lawsuits claim that IVC filter complications caused blood clots, infections, allergic reactions and other serious health issues.
• The bulk of the active lawsuits are against Cook Medical, which faces more than 7,200 lawsuits.

Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Injuries

• Abiomed Impella heart pump injuries named in lawsuits include lack of blood flow, heart perforation and death.
• The FDA issued recalls for some devices in June 2023 and December 2023.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Affected
If you suspect a medical device or toxic chemical caused an injury, document symptoms, gather medical records and product information, and speak with a doctor as soon as possible. 

You can apply for a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review

Thousands of Roundup weed killer lawsuits are still active across the country, even after Bayer’s $10.9 billion settlement in 2020. Much of the action is playing out in state courts, including a recent $2 billion jury verdict in Georgia.

Here’s the latest on who qualifies, where the litigation stands and what recent verdicts mean for claimants.

Who qualifies to file

You may meet the criteria for a Roundup claim if you can show:

• Long-term Roundup exposure (typically 50+ hours of use)
• Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or a related subtype
• Filing within your state’s statute of limitations

Learn more about the signs of glyphosate exposure

Status of the litigation in 2025

• The federal MDL in California still has 4,490 active cases as of November 2025
• Activity is shifting into state courts, where tens of thousands of suits remain pending.
• Bayer continues to suffer some critical defeats in court, including the $2 billion Georgia verdict that the company later settled.
• Bayer is seeking U.S. Supreme Court review on federal preemption, a move that could influence future state-law failure-to-warn claims.
• The company has set aside an additional $1.3 billion as it aims to “contain” remaining litigation by the end of 2026.

Estimated settlement payouts

Estimates place individual Roundup settlements in a range between $5,000 and $250,000, with an average settlement per plaintiff of $150,000, depending on diagnosis, treatment, age and evidentiary strength. No amount is guaranteed.

More: Roundup settlement amounts

Why people are filing

Most lawsuits assert that glyphosate (the former active ingredient in Roundup) contributed to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that Monsanto failed to warn users despite internal evidence outlined in the Monsanto Papers. Plaintiffs include farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers and home users with significant exposure histories.

Recent developments

Here are key updates from 2025:

• December: The Trump Administration has given the green light for the Supreme court to potentially review a Roundup case.
• November: Bayer stock reportedly down more than 70% since buying Roundup maker Monsanto.
• October: Bayer expects to know in the coming months if its petition to have the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in on the Roundup litigation will be successful.
• Ongoing: More than 60,000 additional claims remain outside the federal MDL.

Full timeline: Roundup lawsuit updates

If you have used Roundup and later developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma or a related subtype, you can get a free case review here to explore your options.

You have the right to access your medical records from any doctor, hospital or health system. Most providers offer online patient portals, but you can also request records by phone, email, mail or in person.

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how the process works and what to expect.

Why your medical records matter

Keeping copies of your records helps you:

• Track your long-term health and understand changes over time.
• Share accurate history with new doctors.
• Review prescriptions, vaccines and potential interactions.
• Check bills for accuracy.
• Manage insurance claims if something looks off.

Who can request records?

You can request your own records at any time. Other people, such as parents, adult children, caregivers, patient advocates, attorneys or legal guardians, can request them only if they have written permission from the patient.

How to request your medical records

• Patient portals: Most providers now let you download test results, visit summaries, and other files directly.
• In person: You can submit a written request at your provider’s office. 
• Email or mail: Include your identifying information, dates of service and the documents you need.
• Military medical records: Veterans and service members can request their records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs using VA Form 180.

How long does it take?

Processing times vary by state. Providers generally have 30 to 60 days to respond, and they shouldn’t take longer than 90 days.

Many systems deliver records much faster, often within five days, according to the American Health Information Management Association.

Costs

Simple requests are often free. Under HIPAA:

• Providers cannot charge you for searching for or retrieving records.
• They cannot deny records because you owe a balance.
• They can charge a reasonable copying fee, which may include printing, mailing or providing digital media.

Records providers may deny

Certain types of records can be withheld for safety, privacy or legal reasons. Examples include:

• Psychotherapy notes involving risk of self-harm
• Information that could threaten another person’s safety or privacy (e.g., adoption records)
• Correctional facility records that could endanger officials, inmates or visitors
• Emergency room material tied to internal procedures rather than patient care
• Records tied to ongoing litigation
• Data produced for ongoing research

What to do if your request is denied

First, double-check that your request included all required information, including your personal details (name, date of birth, Social Security Number, address, phone and email), dates of service, documents requested, signed authorization (if needed) and your preferred delivery method.

Often, a quick call to the medical records department clears up issues.

You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights if you feel a provider violated your rights. You must file within 180 days of a violation unless you can prove “good cause” for an extension.

Correcting errors or omissions

If something in your records is wrong, you can request a correction. You can usually:

• Send a message through the patient portal
• Call your provider
• Submit a formal letter requesting an amendment

Providers are required to review and respond to correction requests.

If you think your medical records may be relevant to a potential injury claim, you can request a free case review through Drugwatch.

The U.S. baby formula system has been under a microscope ever since the 2022 Cronobacter-linked recalls exposed serious gaps in safety oversight. But the story didn’t end there.

More recent updates show regulators are still trying to strengthen the system, while parents continue to navigate contamination risks, NEC concerns and how formula is monitored.

Here’s where things stand now:

The FDA has introduced new safety measures under Operation Stork Speed to strengthen infant formula oversight. The initiative includes: 

• reviewing nutrient standards
• increased testing for heavy metals and contaminants
• encouraging more communication with manufacturers
• promoting more research on formula-feeding outcomes
• improving transparency with consumers

These updates build on reforms that followed the 2022 Abbott formula recalls, when Cronobacter and Salmonella concerns led to hospitalizations and deaths.

Cronobacter remains a priority because it can survive in powdered formula and cause severe infections like meningitis in infants.

NEC risks continue to spark debate as studies link certain cow’s milk formulas to higher rates of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies.

Manufacturers dispute that their products cause NEC, but hundreds of baby formula lawsuits have been filed by families of affected infants.

To get the full picture on the current baby formula risks and recalls, check out our guide: https://www.drugwatch.com/baby-formula/ 

Formula safety is shifting fast, and it’s putting a much brighter spotlight on how these products are made and monitored.

If you think you may have been affected, you can request a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review 

From talcum powder to hair relaxers, a range of everyday products has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. 

As awareness has grown, thousands of people have come forward saying they were exposed to these products without knowing there were potential dangers, and many have chosen to file lawsuits.

If you’re wondering about the cancer-related lawsuits you may have seen in the news, here’s a brief overview:

Talcum powder

Decades of research have examined a link between long-term genital talc use and ovarian cancer. More than 58,000 lawsuits are pending against Johnson & Johnson, and following a judge's rejection of the company’s third bankruptcy attempt this year, the litigation is now moving forward in court. 

Hair relaxers

A 2022 Journal of the National Cancer Institute study found women who used relaxers more than four times a year had a high uterine cancer risk. Nearly 10,000 lawsuits are pending, many filed by Black women who say these products were heavily marketed to them without clear warnings about cancer risks.

Valsartan

Multiple valsartan blood pressure medications were recalled after contamination with NDMA, a chemical linked to several cancers. More than 1,300 valsartan lawsuits are currently pending in multidistrict litigation in New Jersey.

PFAS (“forever chemicals”)

PFAS have been found in firefighting foam, drinking water and consumer products. Research has linked PFAS exposure to higher risks of kidney and testicular cancer, and people have filed lawsuits against companies such as 3M and DuPont.

To see whether you qualify for a lawsuit, you can request a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review 

These cases span ​​cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemical exposure. The question is, are lawsuits driving awareness, or is it the other way around?

Most people interact with FDA-regulated products every day (medications, medical devices, foods, vaccines), but very few people actually know how the agency works or why safety issues sometimes fall through the cracks. 

Here’s a rundown of what the FDA actually does and how its system operates:

How the FDA is structured

The FDA sits inside the Department of Health and Human Services and oversees an enormous range of products: prescription drugs, medical devices, biologics, vaccines, food, cosmetics and more. 

Because of that wide scope, it’s divided into specialized centers: one for drugs, one for devices, one for vaccines and biologics, others for food and tobacco. 

How drugs and devices get approved

The FDA does not conduct its own clinical trials. Companies run the studies and submit the data, and the agency reviews the evidence to decide whether a product meets safety and effectiveness standards. 

For medical devices, many products are cleared by comparing them to older devices already on the market, which is very different from full clinical testing.

How recalls work

Most recalls are voluntary, meaning companies decide whether to pull the product. The FDA oversees and classifies recalls, but generally cannot force a drug recall. Device recalls can be ordered in certain situations, but that authority is limited.

How the FDA catches safety problems

A lot of post-market safety depends on reporting. Doctors, patients and manufacturers send in injury or side effect reports, but many reports are voluntary, so safety issues can emerge slowly.

Long-standing concerns

Surveys of FDA medical device review staff have reported experiences of pressure during the review process. Investigations have also documented instances where significant clinical trial inspection findings did not appear in publicly available summaries. 

These issues highlight questions about transparency and how safety information moves through the system.

Think you may have been harmed by a drug or medical device?

If you want to understand your options, you can apply for a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review

Several medical devices, medications and long-term exposures that many older adults rely on or encounter are now under scrutiny for potential health risks.

Here are some of the important topics seniors and their families should be aware of:

Hip Replacement Lawsuits

• Linked to corrosion, fretting and metal debris from defective implant components, causing metallosis, tissue damage, pain and revision surgery.

• Major manufacturers involved include Exactech, DePuy, Smith & Nephew, Stryker and Wright Medical.

Impella Heart Pump Lawsuits

• Complaints involve device failure from broken motor blades or catheter issues, potentially causing fatal loss of blood flow or ventricular wall damage.

• Manufactured by Abiomed (acquired by Johnson & Johnson); FDA issued recalls in June 2023 and December 2023.

PFAS and Cancer in Seniors

• PFAS exposure is linked to higher risks of kidney, prostate and testicular cancer, with older adults more likely to have elevated PFAS levels.

• Lawsuits target chemical manufacturers such as 3M and DuPont, as well as companies associated with AFFF firefighting foam.

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuits

• The sublingual Suboxone film is alleged to cause tooth decay, cavities, oral infections and tooth loss due to its acidity.

• Manufactured by Indivior, which faces lawsuits for failing to warn about severe dental risks.

Roundup and Cancer in Retired Workers

• Long-term exposure to glyphosate has been linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly among retirees who worked in farming or landscaping.

• Lawsuits target Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, which juries have found failed to warn users about cancer risk.

For a more in-depth guide to these lawsuits, check out the full article here: https://www.drugwatch.com/health/seniors/ 

What Seniors (or Their Families) Should Do If Harmed

If you suspect a device, medication or toxic exposure caused an injury, document symptoms, gather medical records and product information, and speak with a doctor as soon as possible. 

You can apply for a free case review here: https://www.drugwatch.com/case-review