Mass torts and class actions in 2025 are expanding into new risk domains—from biometric privacy to forever chemicals—pushing legal teams to adopt more proactive, tech-enabled strategies to mitigate mounting litigation threats.
The mass tort landscape is evolving fast—and the stakes are rising.
In 2025, mass tort and class action litigation are reshaping corporate risk management across sectors. From environmental contamination and biometric privacy to pharmaceutical safety and digital deception, the range of legal exposures is expanding rapidly.
Regulators are more assertive. Plaintiff firms are deploying advanced tools and coordinated strategies. And the public is increasingly engaged in class action efforts. For law firms and legal departments, staying ahead of these shifts isn’t optional—proactive strategy is essential.
Here’s a deep dive into the litigation trends dominating the year so far, and how leading firms are responding.
Key Trends Reshaping the Legal Landscape
1. Biometric Data and Privacy Litigation
Biometric information is at the center of a growing number of lawsuits. With the widespread adoption of facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other biometric technologies, plaintiffs are raising concerns around consent, data retention, and privacy violations.
Case to Watch: In re Clearview AI, Inc.
Clearview AI is facing multiple lawsuits under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) for scraping billions of facial images from the internet without obtaining consent. This case could set the national tone for biometric privacy enforcement and compliance expectations—and serves as a warning shot for other tech companies.
Strategic Insight
Companies handling biometric data must act now to assess and fortify their compliance frameworks. Legal teams should prepare for regulatory enforcement, civil litigation, or both.
2. PFAS and Environmental Torts
PFAS (the so-called “forever chemicals”) are driving a surge in environmental litigation. Following landmark government settlements, plaintiffs are turning their focus toward consumer products and corporate supply chains.
Litigation Update:
After 3M’s historic $10.3 billion settlement with public water systems in 2023, litigation has pivoted to consumer-facing brands. Plaintiffs are now targeting PFAS in textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, and outdoor gear—signaling broader exposure across retail and manufacturing.
Strategic Insight
Environmental risk audits and product ingredient disclosures are now critical. Companies must prepare for discovery into sourcing, labeling, and internal hazard recognition.
3. Medical Products and Drug Litigation
Pharmaceutical and medical device litigation continues to surge—especially around adverse effects, off-label marketing, and failure to warn.
Current Focus: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy)
Reports linking these popular diabetes and weight loss drugs to gastroparesis and other complications have triggered an influx of legal activity. Plaintiffs allege inadequate warnings and misleading marketing practices—a familiar playbook in high-stakes pharmaceutical litigation.
Strategic Insight
Pharma companies must revisit post-market surveillance programs and marketing compliance strategies. For both plaintiff and defense teams, expert testimony on medical causation and risk assessment will be pivotal.
Industries in the Legal Crosshairs
Several sectors face heightened exposure as litigation expands into new risk domains:
- Technology: Lawsuits involving facial recognition, algorithmic discrimination, and data sharing are under the microscope.
- Consumer Goods: Lawsuits over talc, hair relaxers, and nonstick chemicals are far from over.
- Pharmaceuticals: Claims over under-disclosed or underreported side effects and improper promotion are ongoing.
- Automotive: EV manufacturers are facing class actions over autopilot failures and battery-related safety risks.
- Finance: Litigation targeting crypto fraud and ESG “greenwashing” is accelerating.
Litigation Strategy in 2025: What’s Changing
Plaintiffs’ Firms Are Getting Smarter:
✔️ AI-Powered Discovery: Advanced tools are helping firms analyze adverse event reports, internal documents, and regulatory filings faster and more thoroughly.
✔️ MDL Momentum: Multidistrict litigation remains a favored structure for coordinating mass claims and increasing pressure on defendants.
Defense Firms Are Taking a Proactive Stance:
✔️ Risk Audits: More companies are engaging counsel for preventative audits to reduce exposure before litigation hits.
✔️ Early Resolution Models: Structured settlements and strategic mediation are helping mitigate reputational risk and contain costs.
Where AP Expert Group Delivers Strategic Advantage
Navigating today’s mass tort and class action landscape takes more than legal knowledge—it demands precision, clarity, and the right expertise.
At AP Expert Group, we connect law firms with vetted expert witnesses across key disciplines, including high-risk domains: healthcare, product safety, environmental science, data privacy, digital forensics, and more.
Whether you’re preparing a defense strategy or building a plaintiff case, we help you move forward with confidence and credibility.
Let’s Talk About What’s Next
Which sector do you think is next in line for mass litigation—and why?
Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Share your thoughts and tag us to continue the dialogue with your peers.