Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Lawsuit (MDL No. 3172)
As of November 2, 2026, 22 cases are pending in the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant multidistrict litigation in the Eastern District of Arkansas, before Judge Kristine G. Baker. The MDL was created on February 5, 2026.
Pending cases over time
From the JPML's monthly pending-MDL reports, March 2026 to November 2026.
| As of | Pending | Total, all time |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2026 | 22 | 22 |
Court and case details
| Official name | IN RE: Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Products Liability Litigation |
|---|---|
| MDL number | 3172 |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas |
| Judge | Kristine G. Baker (Chief Judge, USDC) |
| Master docket | 4:26-md-3172 |
| Motion to centralize filed | October 31, 2025 |
| MDL created | February 5, 2026 |
| Category | Products Liability |
| Status | Active |
What an MDL is
When many people file similar federal lawsuits against the same company, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) can send them all to one judge for pretrial work such as evidence gathering and expert rulings. Each case stays a separate lawsuit, unlike a class action. A few cases are often tried first as “bellwether” trials, and cases that don’t settle or get dismissed can be sent back to the court where they were filed for trial.
The case counts above only include federal cases. Similar claims can also be filed in state courts, and those are not counted here.
Thinking about a claim? Whether you can join depends on your own facts and on deadlines that vary by state (see personal injury statutes of limitations by state). A lawyer who handles products liability cases can tell you whether you qualify.
Products liability lawyers in Little Rock
Lawbamba lists 76 products liability lawyers with an office in Little Rock, Arkansas, where this MDL is heard, the practice area that deals with the kind of case on this page. These 4 come first in that listing (how the order is set).
Matched by practice area and office location only. These lawyers are not connected to the records on this page and have not reviewed or endorsed it.
Other active products liability MDLs
- Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products
69,376 pending · MDL 2738 - Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh
23,299 pending · MDL 2846 - Aqueous Film-Forming Foams
15,270 pending · MDL 2873 - Hair Relaxer
12,743 pending · MDL 3060 - Proton-Pump Inhibitor (No. II)
11,404 pending · MDL 2789 - Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices
8,414 pending · MDL 2666
Source: case counts, judges and courts come from the monthly “Pending MDL Dockets” reports published by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. We update them each month. “Pending” means cases still open in the MDL; “total” counts every case ever sent to it, including those since dismissed, settled or sent back to their original courts.
Lawbamba is not affiliated with the JPML or any court, and this page is general information, not legal advice. We don’t estimate settlement values or tell you whether you qualify.