Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Recent studies suggest a link between Depo-Provera and meningioma, a type of brain tumor. This new evidence is leading hundreds of women to file lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer.

These lawsuits allege that Pfizer knew or should have known about the increased risk of meningiomas associated with the drug but didn’t disclose it to patients or doctors, causing financial losses for women who developed brain tumors. Women claim that if they had been properly warned, they would have opted for a different birth control method.

Filing lawsuits can help people affected seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you’ve been affected, we’ll explain your legal options at no cost and with no obligation.

Drugwatch works with a network of experienced attorneys to ensure every case gets the attention and strength it deserves. Our partners in this litigation filed the first federal lawsuit and successfully petitioned for multidistrict litigation (MDL) to reduce legal costs and raise the chance of fair settlements.

Depo-Provera cases are primarily product liability lawsuits against Pfizer. The legal case is based on claims of failure to warn, negligence and negligent design.

The plaintiffs are women who developed brain tumors after using the shot for birth control or conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids. They are seeking financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Evidence in the lawsuits include medical records, use history and expert opinions linking the shot to brain tumors.

Pfizer is the defendant. Generic manufactures Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Greenstone LLC, A-S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories and Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. are also named in lawsuits.

The statutes of limitations, or filing deadlines, for legal claims related to drug injuries vary by state. The period to file a lawsuit typically starts when you’re diagnosed with a brain tumor or could reasonably attribute it to your birth control.

This is a relatively new lawsuit, and the number of cases is growing as women are learning about it. If you believe the drug caused your health issues, you may have grounds for legal action.

Cases in federal court have been transferred to a multidistrict litigation (MDL) under Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Florida. The MDL exists to streamline the legal process for cases from all over the country. You do not need the be from Florida to join the lawsuit.

To qualify, you must prove you used Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera or an authorized generic version, and then developed a meningioma. You may not qualify if you took the shot only once or if you developed a brain tumor before your first injection.

Eligibility may also depend on how long ago you were diagnosed. Each state has a different deadline for filing.

“If you’ve been diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera or Depo-SubQ Provera or their generic equivalents, you may qualify for a lawsuit,” said attorney Brendan Smith, a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy in the Complex Litigation Department. “Consulting a qualified attorney can help determine if your case meets the specific legal and medical requirements for filing a claim.”

It’s too early to predict what the average Depo-Provera lawsuit settlement could be. Some lawyers may make estimations based on past litigation.

Pharmaceutical product liability cases can reach five- to six-figure settlements. Exact settlement amounts can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. The claims listed in lawsuits play a big role.

Manufacturers have faced lawsuits over multiple birth control methods. Some past cases have resulted in big payouts.

In 2020, Bayer settled 90% of 39,000 Essure claims for $1.6 billion.

Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits ended in sizable settlements for women. Bayer agreed to pay $2.04 billion to settle about 10,300 claims for blood clot injuries. The company also agreed to pay $21.5 million to settle 7,200 claims for gallbladder injuries and $56.9 million to settle about 1,200 claims involving strokes and heart attacks.

Note: Settlement figures and outcomes can vary greatly from one case to another. Always consult with a qualified attorney for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

Has Anyone Won a Depo-Provera Settlement or Verdict?

No, none of the recent brain tumor lawsuits have gone to trial. A settlement to end the lawsuits hasn’t been announced.

In the early 2000s, some women filed bone loss lawsuits. But there were no notable settlements or jury verdicts in the U.S. for those cases.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

The lawsuits seek compensation for “severe physical pain, mental suffering, inconvenience, and loss of the enjoyment of life.” You can also seek a payout to cover costs like medical expenses or lost earnings.

“Meningioma symptoms often significantly disrupt plaintiffs’ lives, leading to chronic pain, vision impairment, fatigue and cognitive difficulties,” Smith said. “These challenges can hinder work, relationships and daily activities.”

How Would a Settlement Work?

The lawsuits are being handled as an MDL, not a class action. The distinction is important to understand how a settlement would work.

When a class action ends, the settlement applies to all class members. But with an MDL, each case is considered separately. The individual payouts are based on the severity of the injuries in each case.

Several key factors could influence a settlement, including the number of injections, tumor size and location, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Number of Injections

Research links long-term Depo-Provera use to a higher risk of developing meningioma. We are accepting cases of women who received at least two injections. But the longer someone used the drug, the easier it may be to demonstrate a link between their tumor and the shot. A stronger link could allow lawyers to negotiate a larger payout.

Type of Tumor

A tumor that forms in the head is more likely to result in a larger settlement because it strengthens the claim that the drug caused it. The tumor’s size and how it affects brain function can also impact the payout. Legal and medical experts may use tumor pathology, treatment records and scientific studies to support the link.

Medical Expenses

A portion of the payout from a product liability lawsuit is usually meant to cover medical expenses. Routine brain scans, surgery and radiation are common treatments for meningioma. And the medical expenses can amount to tens of thousands of dollars.

Lost Wages

A payout may be higher if you’ve missed work because of your tumor. A lost wages settlement can also account for future lost income if you’re permanently disabled from the tumor.

“I tried to go back to work after my surgery,” Edie R., who filed a brain tumor lawsuit, told Drugwatch. “I started with temp jobs, and I went backwards. It was too hard on me. It drained me.”

Pain and Suffering

How much pain your tumor has caused you can play a role in the payout you receive. Meningioma symptoms can range from manageable to life-altering. Some women whom Drugwatch has spoken to had catastrophic complications from their condition. These issues heavily impacted day-to-day life. Those who have experienced the most serious and debilitating impacts may receive larger payouts.

“My life has become overwhelming,” T.C., who filed a brain tumor lawsuit, told Drugwatch. “This diagnosis has only added to the burden, and it’s not something I can escape or ignore. It’s made everything harder.”

Drugwatch can match you with an experienced product liability lawyer from our trusted network. All you have to do is sign up for a free case review.

After you fill out a form, we will contact you to ask a few questions about your Depo use. Then, we will let you know how we can help.

If you’re interested in filing a lawsuit, gather any relevant medical records.

“People should expect to provide their medical history, including their usage of Depo-Provera and any history of pregnancy and other hormonal contraceptive use, as well as diagnosis and treatment information related to their meningioma,” Smith said.

The time limit for filing a legal claim will vary depending on where you live. So, it’s important to speak with an attorney about a potential claim as soon as possible.

What Are the Statutes of Limitation for Depo-Provera Lawsuits?

The statute of limitations for Depo-Provera lawsuits is typically two to three years from the time you’re diagnosed with a brain tumor. But, in some states, you may have only one year to file a lawsuit.

By definition, the statute of limitations is a deadline. It determines how long you have to file a lawsuit for a meningioma brain tumor caused by the birth control shot.

Other factors, such as the discovery rule, innovator liability, pharmaceutical immunity statute and statute of repose, could also affect whether you can file a lawsuit in your state.

Some states are considered more consumer-friendly than others.

Discovery Rule

The discovery rule may apply in some states. It could extend your deadline to file a lawsuit.

The countdown to file a lawsuit usually starts from the date you’re diagnosed with the tumor. But under the discovery rule, the clock starts ticking at the point where you could reasonably connect the tumor to your Depo-Provera use.

Lawyers may argue that their clients couldn’t reasonably connect the drug to their tumor without a warning on the drug’s label. Pfizer has yet to add a meningioma warning to the drug’s labels in the United States.

Innovator Liability

California and Massachusetts provide a way for people to sue a brand-name drug company if a generic version of the drug harms them. This is a legal concept known as innovator liability.

One reason for innovator liability is the “duty of sameness.” Under this law, generic drugs have to have the same labels as their brand-name counterparts, with few exceptions. So, if a label causes someone harm, then the brand-name company is responsible even if the person used a generic version.

Pharmaceutical Immunity Statute

Some states have immunity laws that could make it harder for you to file a lawsuit. These are sometimes called pharmaceutical immunity statutes.

We sometimes do not accept cases from Texas, for example, because of its pharmaceutical immunity statute.

In Texas, the drug’s FDA-approved label plays a big role. Drug makers aren’t liable for claims that they didn’t warn of a side effect if the drug’s warnings are FDA-approved.

So, since the FDA-approved label doesn’t mention tumors, it may be difficult to claim in Texas that Pfizer legally failed to warn customers.

Statute of Repose

Some states have a statute of repose. These laws set a deadline for filing a lawsuit that is not based on when your injury occurred or was discovered, but from a specific event like the initial sale of the product.

Depending on where you live, statutes of repose could affect your ability to file a lawsuit. Texas, for example, has a statute of repose that is 15 years from the date of sale. So, this could bar you from filing a lawsuit in Texas if you used the drug decades ago.

Tina Thomas was diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera.

T.C. received Depo-Provera shots for three years and was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor. She said she lives in a constant state of worry that the tumor might grow. “I was told how great Depo-Provera was, and I thought it would be more reliable and convenient since I wouldn’t have to take it daily,” she said. “I had no idea it would lead to such serious health problems.” T.C. learned lawyers were filing lawsuits, and she had her case reviewed. She is one of the hundreds of women who have filed a lawsuit. Read T.C.’s Story.

Depo-Provera user Tina Thomas needed surgeries and radiation treatments for her meningioma. She couldn’t work for months. When she learned a connection may exist between the birth control shot and her tumors, she was angry. “You mean to tell me that they knew about this and they’re still giving these shots to women?” Thomas said. “They just did not value our lives at all.”

Edie R. started Depo shots decades ago to help manage scar tissue that formed inside her uterus. She suffered from meningioma symptoms and constant seizures. She had a craniotomy to remove her tumor. But nearly every other symptom that she had worsened after the procedure. “I had to quit my job. I couldn’t do it anymore,” she said. “The financial devastation has been enormous in lost earnings.”

We are closely monitoring the Depo-Provera litigation to bring you the latest updates and news as developments happen. Check back here regularly to stay informed.

Depo-Provera hit the U.S. market more than 30 years ago. It was the first female birth control option to be advertised on TV. It became a popular choice for women as it was marketed as a safe and effective drug.

About 1 in 4 sexually experienced women have used the shot at some point, according to a CDC report. The report cited data from 2015 to 2019.

But recent research found that alarming health issues may be tied to the shot. A March 2024 study published in the BMJ found that Depo users are at a much higher risk of developing a meningioma.

Women are filing lawsuits because they developed tumors after using the shot. They argue that Pfizer knew or should have known about the risk and did not adequately warn them.

“I was told how great Depo-Provera was, and I thought it would be more reliable and convenient since I wouldn’t have to take it daily,” T.C. said. “I had no idea it would lead to such serious health problems.”

Lawsuits argue that Pfizer’s negligence exposed women to significant health risks. Women who took Depo say that they would have chosen a different birth control if they had known of the tumor risk.

“Defendants ignored reports from patients and health care providers throughout the United States which indicated that Depo-Provera failed to perform as intended,” lawsuits state. “…Defendants continued to falsely and misleadingly market Depo-Provera as a safe and effective prescription drug for contraception and other indications.”

The U.S. label includes information on side effects. It also features a black box warning related to bone density. But lawsuits say that it does not mention the risk of meningioma.

This isn’t the case in other parts of the world.

Lawsuits say Depo labels in the United Kingdom and European Union now mention the tumors. The EU label even warns patients to tell their doctor if they have a history of meningioma.

Labels for the drug in Canada have also referenced meningiomas since at least 2015.

“Defendants knew or should have known for decades that Depo-Provera, when administered and prescribed as intended, can cause or substantially contribute to the development of meningiomas,” lawsuits state.

The study published in The BMJ in 2024 found that the Depo shot raised the risk of meningiomas by more than five times. That risk increased with one year or more of use.

These lawsuits stem from that new study. But evidence has existed for decades that the drug’s ingredients could be tied to tumors.

“We believe Pfizer and others knew for many years about the risk of developing meningioma associated with Depo-Provera,” McDonough said.

Depo-Provera is known chemically as medroxyprogesterone acetate. It contains the hormone progestin, a synthetic version of naturally occurring progesterone. Past research has linked this type of hormone to meningiomas.

A 1986 study found that meningiomas contain a high number of progestin receptors. This suggests a potential connection between hormone levels and the development of these tumors.

A later study built on those concerns. It found that antiprogesterone can help treat the tumors.

Progestogen Medications and Brain Tumors: What You Need to Know

“The signature injury is cerebral meningioma, which is a tumor of the meningeal lining of the brain that can press on sensitive brain structures and cause severe problems including seizures, headaches, vision loss, and even death,” Smith said.

Meningiomas are not true brain tumors because they don’t start in brain tissue. They form in the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. But they’re often referred to as brain tumors in the medical community.

Meningiomas are the most common tumors that form in the head and are often benign. But they can still cause serious health problems.

They can grow and put pressure on nearby brain tissue and structures. Patients often need invasive surgery or radiation treatment, which can cause brain injury.

One lawsuit said that Kathleen Fazio had surgery to remove a tumor after taking the drug for years. Complications from that surgery left her with blurred and double vision. Her senses of taste and smell diminished as well.

Patients Describe Life-Altering Meningioma Symptoms in Lawsuits

Meningiomas can grow unnoticed until they are large enough to press on your brain. Symptoms of meningiomas mentioned in lawsuits include headaches and vision issues.

Other symptoms include aphasia, memory loss and trouble speaking.

T.C. told Drugwatch that “dealing with the side effects was brutal.”

“Don’t ignore what’s happening to you,” T.C. said. “These side effects aren’t just something to push through — they can be life-changing. Make sure you’re getting checked and take action now. If I’d known what I was facing, I would have sought help sooner.”

More than 4,800 people have reached out to Drugwatch to learn more about Depo-Provera lawsuits and explore their legal options. We’ve answered the top three questions we get most often here.

In a recent Q&A with Drugwatch, we asked Smith what advice he would give to women considering filing a lawsuit.

“Gather all medical records that you can, including Depo-Provera prescriptions and diagnosis of meningioma,” he said. “Consult an attorney experienced in pharmaceutical litigation to evaluate your case and guide you through the process.”

Drugwatch Helping Women Connect with a Trusted Lawyer Today

We are investigating product liability cases that claim Depo-Provera causes brain tumors. If you were diagnosed with a meningioma after at least two injections, call (866) 590-2452. Or request a free case review online.

Our partners have won more than $19 billion in verdicts and settlements and have spent decades taking on companies like Johnson & Johnson, Bayer and Pfizer. They’ve handled lawsuits against DES, the Ortho Evra patch, Yaz and Yasmin. They can explain your legal options to you.