Updated February 2026Active Litigation

Allergan Breast Implant Lawsuit Lawsuit Tracker

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Active LitigationLast updated: February 20, 2026

Allergan (now owned by AbbVie) manufactured BIOCELL textured breast implants — including the widely used Natrelle 410 — that were found to cause breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare but serious T-cell lymphoma of the immune system. The FDA determined that women with Allergan BIOCELL implants were approximately six times more likely to develop BIA-ALCL than women with implants from other manufacturers. On July 24, 2019, Allergan initiated a worldwide recall of all BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders. As of June 2023, the FDA had received 1,264 BIA-ALCL reports globally, with 1,079 — representing 85% of all cases — involving Allergan implants. Sixty-three deaths have been reported, with 37 linked to Allergan products. MDL 2921, In re Allergan BIOCELL Textured Breast Implant Products Liability Litigation, is pending before Judge Michael Martinotti in the District of New Jersey with approximately 1,400 cases. The first bellwether trial is scheduled for October 2026. Women who received Allergan BIOCELL textured implants, were diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, or underwent implant removal due to the recall may have viable legal claims.

Case Timeline

Litigation Timeline

October 2026

First Bellwether Trial Scheduled — October 2026

Judge Brian R. Martinotti set October 2026 as the target date for the first bellwether trial in MDL 2921. Bellwether trials are individual cases selected to be tried first in an MDL because they represent the range of claims in the litigation — their outcomes provide both sides with data to negotiate a global settlement. Mediation sessions between Allergan/AbbVie and plaintiffs' leadership have been ongoing through 2025. The approach of the October 2026 trial date is expected to accelerate settlement negotiations, as occurred in other major medical device MDLs. Women who file claims before trial selection are better positioned for early resolution of their individual cases.

litigation
December 2019

MDL 2921 Created — December 2019

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) created MDL No. 2921, In re Allergan BIOCELL Textured Breast Implant Products Liability Litigation, in December 2019, consolidating federal cases from across the country in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey before the Honorable Brian R. Martinotti. The MDL encompasses claims for BIA-ALCL, breast implant illness, and economic damages related to recall-driven explant surgery. MDL 2921 is distinct from the Zantac federal MDL that was dismissed in 2022 — the Allergan MDL is proceeding on its merits and moving toward bellwether trials. Case management orders have been issued governing discovery, expert designations, and bellwether selection.

litigation
July 24, 2019

Allergan BIOCELL Worldwide Recall — July 24, 2019

Allergan announced a worldwide voluntary recall of all BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders on July 24, 2019, at the FDA's request. The FDA had determined that Allergan BIOCELL implant recipients faced approximately a 6x higher risk of developing BIA-ALCL compared to patients with implants from other manufacturers. The recall covered 33+ product lines and styles, including the widely used Natrelle 410 and all BIOCELL silicone, saline, and tissue expander products. The FDA recommended that asymptomatic patients not undergo prophylactic removal, but advised that any patient with symptoms — particularly late-onset seroma — seek prompt medical evaluation. This date is the pivotal statute of limitations reference point for recall-related claims.

regulatory
December 2018

France Recalls Allergan Textured Implants — December 2018

French health regulator ANSM (Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament) suspended marketing authorization for Allergan's macro-textured BIOCELL breast implants in December 2018, one full year before the U.S. FDA recalled them. France's action was based on a disproportionate number of BIA-ALCL cases associated with Allergan implants versus other manufacturers. This international regulatory action is significant for U.S. litigation: it demonstrates that the specific risk of Allergan BIOCELL implants — as distinct from breast implants generally — was identified and acted upon globally before Allergan initiated a U.S. recall, further establishing that Allergan had knowledge of the heightened risk well before July 2019.

regulatory
January 2011

FDA First Warns of Possible BIA-ALCL Link — January 2011

In January 2011, the FDA issued its first public communication acknowledging a possible association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. At that time, the FDA had identified approximately 60 cases worldwide. The FDA requested that surgeons report any BIA-ALCL cases through its MAUDE adverse event reporting system and advised that the risk, while real, appeared low. This communication is pivotal in litigation — it establishes that Allergan had constructive knowledge of the BIA-ALCL risk at least eight years before its 2019 recall, supporting failure-to-warn claims throughout the intervening period.

regulatory
Case Results

Notable Verdicts & Settlements

Verdict
Pending — October 2026 Trial Date

Doe v. Allergan, Inc. (D.N.J. — MDL 2921 Bellwether Selection)

The first bellwether trial in MDL 2921 is scheduled for October 2026 before Judge Brian R. Martinotti in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Bellwether plaintiffs have been selected from among the approximately 1,400 pending cases to represent the range of BIA-ALCL and breast implant illness claims. The outcome of the October 2026 trial — or any settlement reached before trial — will set the framework for global resolution of the remaining MDL cases. Mediation sessions between Allergan/AbbVie and plaintiffs' leadership have been ongoing. Plaintiffs' counsel report that Allergan's exposure analysis is complicated by the high proportion of advanced-stage cases among bellwether selections.

2026-10-01District of New Jersey
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