FAQ: Am I Eligible for a Depo Provera Lawsuit?

Emerging Brain Tumor Link Sparks Filing Lawsuits

In March 2024, a major new scientific study was released, which found a clear link between the use of Depo-Provera and the development of a specific type of brain tumor called a meningioma.

The new study was published in the renowned British Medical Journal.

This groundbreaking research examined data from over 100,000 women in France, making it one of the largest studies demonstrating how Depo Provera caused serious health issues.

The findings were striking: According to a March 2024 study in the BMJ, women who use Depo shots for at least a year are 5 times more likely to develop meningioma brain tumors.

This represents a 5.6-fold increased risk compared to women who did not use the contraceptive, highlighting serious health risks associated with this medication.

What makes these findings particularly concerning is that evidence of this risk has existed for decades.

Indeed, it’s been alleged that an association between progesterone and meningiomas has been known since at least 1983, nearly a decade before healthcare providers began prescribing Depo Provera for contraception.

Despite this knowledge, manufacturers failed to adequately warn patients about these potential risks in the United States.

Current Status of Depo Provera Multidistrict Litigation

The revelation of these risks has sparked a wave of legal action against Pfizer and other manufacturers.

The first Depo Provera lawsuits filed occurred in October 2024 by a California woman who was diagnosed with a meningioma when she was 37 years old.

Since then, the litigation has grown rapidly.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated more than 290 cases into Depo Provera multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Florida under Judge Casey Rodgers as of May 2025.

This consolidation, known as MDL No. 3140, streamlines the pretrial process, enabling more efficient handling of these cases.

Key developments in the litigation include:

• Multiple pharmaceutical companies named as defendants, including Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Greenstone LLC, Viatris, and Prasco Laboratories
• Allegations that manufacturers knew or should have known about the brain tumor risks for decades
• Claims that companies failed to update warning labels despite evidence of danger
• Lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages

Since its formation, the Depo-Provera MDL has continued to grow.

As of April 2025, over 130 cases have been filed in the MDL, and legal experts anticipate that number will increase as more women become aware of Depo Provera side effects.

With millions of women having used this contraceptive over the past three decades, the potential scope of this litigation could be substantial.

The Link Between Depo Provera and Meningioma Brain Tumors

Medical research has established a concerning connection between prolonged Depo Provera use and increased risk of developing meningiomas.

These brain tumors, while typically non-cancerous, can cause severe health issues and may require surgical intervention.

The risk appears to increase with both duration of use and cumulative dose exposure.

What Are Meningiomas?

A meningioma is a primary tumor of the central nervous system (CNS).

This means it begins in the brain or spinal cord.

Overall, meningiomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor.

These tumors develop in the meninges—the protective layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Meningioma grading (I to III) is based on the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells.

The World Health Organization classifies meningiomas into three grades:

• Grade I (Benign): Approximately 78 percent to 81 percent of meningiomas are benign (noncancerous). These slow-growing tumors have distinct borders and represent the majority of cases.
• Grade II (Atypical): Approximately 15 percent to 20 percent of meningiomas are atypical, which means that the tumor cells do not appear typical or normal. These tumors tend to grow faster and are more likely to recur.
• Grade III (Malignant): These tumors represent approximately 1.7% of cases. This aggressive form grows rapidly and may invade nearby brain tissue.

Even benign meningiomas can grow large enough to be life-threatening if they compress and affect nearby areas of your brain.

While most meningiomas are not cancerous, their location and size can still lead to major health problems requiring medical intervention.

Scientific Evidence of Increased Risk

The groundbreaking 2024 BMJ study provided compelling evidence of the link between Depo Provera and meningiomas.

Researchers analyzed French health system data for more than 18,000 women who underwent surgery for intracranial meningioma between 2009 and 2018.

The study included 108,366 women, with 18,061 women who had undergone surgery for meningioma.

The key findings were alarming:

• Prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate injection was associated with a 5.6-fold increased risk, demonstrating a pattern of tumor growth.
• Researchers found that women who had received the Depo shot for 12 months or more were 5.76 times more likely to have undergone surgery for meningioma tumors.
• There appeared to be no such risk for less than one year of use of these progestogens.

Importantly, this was not the first evidence of risk.

Studies linking Depo-Provera to meningioma go back to 1983, when researchers discovered that synthetic hormones could stimulate progesterone receptors in these tumors.

Despite decades of warning signs, manufacturers in the United States failed to adequately inform patients about how Depo Provera works and its effects on brain tissue.

Why Depo Provera May Cause Brain Tumors

The biological mechanism underlying this increased risk is related to hormone receptors found in meningiomas.

Researchers noted that progesterone receptors are present in more than 60% of meningiomas, which may help explain the observed risk.

Depo Provera contains medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic form of progesterone.

When this synthetic hormone binds to progesterone receptors in meningeal tissue, it may stimulate abnormal cell growth and tumor development.

NF2 is the gene that gives rise to a condition called Neurofibromatosis 2, an inherited genetic disorder characterized by the development of schwannoma, ependymoma, and meningioma tumours in the brain and spinal cord.

Approximately 40% to 60% of meningiomas are associated with a mutation of the NF2 gene.

The prolonged exposure from regular Depo Provera injections appears to be a key factor in this development.

Since each injection provides contraceptive protection for three months, women using this method accumulate major hormone exposure over time.

Given that medroxyprogesterone acetate is used by approximately 74 million women globally, the researchers called for further investigation into the safety of specific hormones and their role in causing tumor growth and other serious health complications.

Recognizing Symptoms and Warning Signs of Meningiomas

Women who have used Depo Provera should be aware of potential symptoms that may indicate the presence of a meningioma.

Early detection can impact treatment outcomes and overall quality of life.

If you experience any of these symptoms and have a history of Depo Provera use, medical evaluation is recommended.

Common Meningioma Symptoms

More common symptoms of brain meningiomas include, but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in your vision, such as double vision, blurriness or loss of vision
• Hearing loss
• Seizures
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Memory problems
• Other serious health risks

These symptoms develop as the tumor grows and puts pressure on surrounding brain tissue.

The most frequently reported symptom is headaches, which often have specific characteristics.

These headaches are worse in the morning, as the patient wakes up, and improve gradually throughout the day.

Unlike typical headaches, these tend to be persistent and worsen over time rather than responding to over-the-counter pain medications.

You may also notice your vision is becoming blurry, or you start seeing double.

These visual disturbances may start subtly but progressively worsen as the tumor grows.

About 20% to 50% of people who have a meningioma will experience a seizure.

These can range from brief episodes affecting only vision or speech to more severe seizures involving loss of consciousness and muscle control.

Less Common but Serious Signs

Beyond the more typical symptoms, meningiomas can cause various neurological issues depending on their location.

Muscle weakness in certain areas of your body.

Paralysis in certain areas of your body.

These symptoms often develop gradually and may initially be mistaken for other conditions.

Anterior skull base meningiomas are frequently associated with changes in personality and behavior.

Location – Olfactory Groove and sella (bony space where the pituitary gland is situated) Common Symptoms – Loss of smell (anosmia), subtle personality changes, mild difficulty with memory, euphoria, diminished concentration, urinary incontinence, visual impairment.

Speech difficulties can also indicate the presence of a meningioma.

Some people with brain tumours can have difficulty finding words when speaking, difficulty physically speaking, or struggle using specific language.

These communication problems may start as occasional word-finding difficulties and progress to more major speech impairments.

Meningiomas might present with mood symptoms, psychosis, memory disturbances, personality changes, anxiety, or anorexia nervosa.

These psychiatric symptoms can sometimes be the only manifestation of a brain tumor, leading to delayed diagnosis when patients are initially treated for mental health conditions.

When to Seek Medical Attention

A meningioma is usually benign, although a small percentage are malignant (cancerous).

The tumour typically grows slowly and doesn’t spread to any other part of the body.

However, even benign meningiomas require medical attention when symptoms appear.

You should seek immediate medical evaluation if you experience:

• Sudden onset of seizures, especially if you have never had them before
• Severe headaches that worsen over time or differ from your usual headache pattern
• Progressive vision loss or sudden changes in eyesight
• Unexplained weakness or numbness in your limbs
• Major personality changes or cognitive difficulties

A meningioma diagnosis is made after an imaging exam.

If you have used Depo Provera for an extended period and are experiencing any concerning symptoms, it’s vital to inform your healthcare provider about your contraceptive history.

This information can help guide appropriate diagnostic testing.

When discussing your symptoms with a healthcare provider, be sure to mention:

• The duration and frequency of your Depo Provera use
• When your symptoms first appeared
• How your symptoms have progressed over time
• Any family history of brain tumors or neurological conditions

Early detection through proper medical evaluation can lead to better treatment outcomes and may strengthen any potential legal claim if you’ve been harmed by Depo Provera use.

Determining Your Eligibility for a Depo Provera Lawsuit

Not everyone who used Depo Provera will qualify for legal action.

Specific criteria must be met to establish a viable claim against the manufacturers.

An experienced attorney can evaluate your individual circumstances to determine if you have grounds for filing lawsuits related to Depo Provera side effects.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Depo Provera lawsuit, several key criteria must be met.

To qualify for a lawsuit, individuals must have used the brand-name (Pfizer) Depo-Provera, depo-SubQ Provera, or an authorized generic version at least twice and must have been diagnosed with a meningioma or brain tumor after usage.

The primary requirements include:

• Documented Use of Depo Provera: Must have used brand name (Pfizer) Depo Provera or Depo-SubQ Provera at least twice or have used an “authorized generic” version of the contraceptive at least twice.
• Medical Diagnosis: To qualify, you must have been diagnosed with a brain tumor (e.g., meningioma) or another related medical condition linked to Depo-Provera use.
• Duration and Timing: The most compelling cases involve women who used Depo-Provera for five years or more, but even women with shorter-term use may be eligible, especially if the tumor required surgery or caused symptoms like vision problems, seizures, or memory loss.
• Measurable Harm: The tumor must have caused “measurable” harm, meaning it must have caused chronic pain, required you to have surgery, caused a disability, or seriously affected your quality of life.

Documentation You Will Need

Anyone who intends to take legal action against Pfizer over a brain tumor stemming from Depo-Provera use must have as much official documentation of their condition as possible, including comprehensive records of their initial diagnosis as well as all treatment received and prescription medications taken since that diagnosis.

Important documentation includes:

• Medical Records: Complete records showing your meningioma diagnosis, including MRI or CT scan results, pathology reports, and surgical records if applicable
• Prescription History: Evidence that may prove vital for filing a Depo-Provera lawsuit includes your medical records, prescription history, proof of lost wages, evidence of pain and suffering, and studies showing a link between Depo-Provera and meningiomas.
• Treatment Documentation: Records of all medical treatment received for your brain tumor, including surgeries, radiation therapy, and ongoing medical care
• Financial Records: Documentation of medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages related to your diagnosis

Providing evidence of Depo Provera use will be central to this litigation.

If you received injections many years ago, pharmacy records, insurance claims, or medical billing statements may help establish your usage history.

Factors That May Affect Your Claim

Several factors can influence your eligibility and the strength of your claim when filing lawsuits.

Learning these considerations is important before pursuing legal action:

• Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations for the Depo Provera lawsuit varies by state, typically ranging from two to three years. In some states, you may have as little as 1 year to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit. The discovery rule may extend these deadlines until a plaintiff knows, or reasonably should know, about both the injury and its connection to the defendant’s conduct.
• Other Risk Factors: A history of brain tumors or other neurological issues prior to taking Depo-Provera may make your claim more challenging. Previous breast cancer diagnosis may also be relevant to your case evaluation.
• Geographic Considerations: Claimants from Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas may encounter specific legal issues. Some states have more favorable laws for pharmaceutical litigation than others.

If you believe you meet these criteria, it’s important to act quickly.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Depo Provera lawsuit today.

Legal Options and Potential Compensation

Women who develop meningiomas after Depo Provera use may have several legal avenues available.

The type and amount of compensation can vary based on individual circumstances and the severity of injuries.

A qualified attorney can help identify the best legal strategy for your situation involving depo provera claims.

Types of Legal Claims Available

Depo Provera lawsuits typically fall under product liability law, with several legal theories available to pursue compensation.

Product liability actions are often quite challenging.

Establishing legal fault usually requires expert testimony.

This is especially true in cases involving scientific or medical issues, such as those involving defective drugs.

The primary legal theories include:

• Failure to Warn: A claim based on a failure to warn does not assert that the product has any physical flaws.
• Design Defect: Plaintiffs may argue that Depo Provera’s formulation is unreasonably dangerous, particularly given that lower-dose alternatives exist.
• Negligence: Claims that manufacturers failed to exercise reasonable care in researching, testing, and monitoring their product’s safety profile, including risks like blood clots and other serious health complications.

This structure is particularly suitable for Depo-Provera litigation, where injuries, such as meningiomas associated with high-dose progestin, require personalized evaluations of damages and circumstances.

Unlike class action lawsuits, where all plaintiffs share equally, an MDL allows for individual assessment of each woman’s unique damages.

Compensation Categories

Victims of Depo Provera-related brain tumors may be entitled to various forms of compensation.

If you have grounds to file a lawsuit, it may be possible to obtain a settlement that covers your past and future damages.

Economic Damages:

• Medical Expenses: Medical Expenses: Reimbursements for all medical treatments related to the brain tumor. This includes past and future costs for surgeries, radiation therapy, medications, and ongoing monitoring
• Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work during treatment and recovery
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the brain tumor has permanently affected your ability to work in your previous capacity

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and Suffering: Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical and emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for how the condition has affected your daily activities and enjoyment of life
• Emotional Distress: Recognition of the psychological impact of a brain tumor diagnosis

Punitive Damages: Additional sums meant to punish Pfizer for neglect.

These may be awarded in cases where the manufacturer’s conduct was particularly egregious, especially when the discontinuation of Depo Provera warnings was inadequate.

The Legal Process Timeline

Learning what to expect during litigation can help you make informed decisions about pursuing a claim.

In many mass tort MDLs, settlements are reached before bellwether trials begin.

The typical process includes:

1. Case Evaluation: Your attorney will review your medical records and Depo Provera usage history to determine case viability
2. Filing Your Lawsuit: It can take several months to a year or more to resolve a Depo-Provera lawsuit. Your case will likely be consolidated into the MDL for pretrial proceedings
3. Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information and gather evidence. This includes medical records, expert testimony, and internal company documents about prescribing Depo Provera practices
4. Settlement Negotiations: To mitigate such risks, defendants often seek to negotiate a global settlement that compensates all plaintiffs involved in the MDL.
5. Trial or Settlement: Most cases settle before trial, but some may proceed to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Current settlement projections vary widely based on case specifics.

If the evidence supporting causation holds up in court, our lawyers estimate that Depo-Provera brain tumor cases involving major complications could result in settlement payouts ranging from $275,000 to $500,000.

Payouts may exceed these estimates based on the circumstances of the case, the severity of the injuries, and provable damages.

A 2020 analysis of 47 meningioma lawsuits has caught the attention of legal professionals investigating cases involving women who used Depo-Provera.

The study found that in 68.1% of cases, failure to diagnose was the primary basis for legal action.

Notably, the average verdict in these lawsuits amounted to $3,409,650.22, with settlements averaging $867,555.56.

If you or a loved one developed a brain tumor after using Depo Provera, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Depo Provera lawsuit today.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

If you believe you may qualify for a Depo Provera lawsuit, taking prompt action is important.

The legal process can seem overwhelming, but working with experienced attorneys can help protect your rights.

Here’s what you should do to move forward with a potential claim.

Immediate Steps to Take

The first priority after a meningioma diagnosis is your health and safety.

If you’re currently using Depo Provera, consult with your healthcare provider about alternative contraceptive options.

Do not stop any medication without medical guidance, as your doctor can help you transition safely to another birth control method when discontinuing Depo Provera.

Begin gathering and organizing your medical documentation immediately.

Before you send your medical record request documents, check each facility’s website for any available instructions.

Important records to collect include:

• Prescription Records: Contact all pharmacies where you received Depo Provera injections. Request complete records showing dates and dosages of all injections received.
• Medical Records: A list of physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, or clinics, including accurate provider names and addresses. Obtain records from every healthcare provider who administered Depo Provera or treated your brain tumor.
• Imaging Results: Collect all MRI and CT scan reports that show your meningioma diagnosis, including the radiologist’s interpretation.
• Treatment Documentation: Gather records of any surgeries, radiation therapy, or ongoing treatment for your brain tumor.

While physicians’ documentation efforts tend to focus on the content of the clinical encounter, communication with patients at the time of and after discharge is equally important for minimizing liability.

Create a personal timeline documenting:

• When you first started using Depo Provera
• The frequency and duration of your injections
• When you first experienced symptoms
• Your diagnosis date and all subsequent treatment

Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your condition, including medical bills, travel costs for treatment, and any lost wages due to missed work.

Choosing the Right Legal Representation

Selecting an experienced attorney is vital for the success of your case.

These cases can get large and challenging, thus requiring the assistance of an experienced pharmaceutical lawyer.

Look for firms with a proven track record in mass tort cases against major pharmaceutical companies.

Resources and Infrastructure: From our groundbreaking lawsuit against the tobacco industry to the representation of over 500 women in the Dalkon Shield cases, to the cases we are working on, many of our mass tort lawyers have been listed as Super Lawyers and in Best Lawyers in America.

Ensure the firm has adequate resources to take on large corporations like Pfizer.

Communication and Support: Your attorney should provide clear communication about your case status and be available to answer questions throughout the process.

Questions to ask potential attorneys include:

• How many pharmaceutical mass tort cases have you handled?
• What is your experience with MDL proceedings?
• How will you keep me informed about my case?
• What are your fee arrangements?
• Do you work with medical experts who understand meningiomas?

TruLaw has extensive experience representing women harmed by dangerous pharmaceutical products.

Our team, led by Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, combines legal expertise with a commitment to making justice accessible for all clients.

What to Expect During Your Case

Learning the legal process can help you prepare for what lies ahead.

During the discovery phase of the lawsuit, both sides investigate the facts.

Plaintiffs and defendants exchange documents such as company emails and other records.

• Initial Consultation: Your attorney will review your medical history and Depo Provera usage to determine if you have a viable claim. This consultation is typically free and confidential.
• Case Filing: If you qualify, your attorney will prepare and file your lawsuit. Your case will likely be consolidated into the MDL for pretrial proceedings.
• Discovery Process: The types of discovery are interrogatories, depositions, requests for admissions and inspection of documents. You may need to provide additional documentation and potentially give a deposition about your experience.
• Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Most pharmaceutical cases settle before trial, but your attorney should be prepared to take your case to court if necessary to secure fair compensation. Throughout this process, maintain open communication with your legal team.

Continue following your doctor’s treatment recommendations and keep detailed records of all medical appointments and expenses.

If you or a loved one developed a brain tumor after using Depo Provera, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Depo Provera lawsuit today.

How Can A Depo Provera Attorney from TruLaw Help You?

Our Depo Provera attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a Depo Provera lawsuit.

With extensive experience in dangerous drugs cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders and medical experts to prove how Depo Provera injections caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, bone density treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from your Depo Provera injuries.

We understand the physical and emotional toll that Depo Provera complications have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead Depo Provera Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead Depo Provera attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring a Depo Provera lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one experienced health complications after receiving Depo Provera injections, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Depo Provera lawsuit today.

TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the Depo Provera Lawsuit

Depo Provera lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who suffered serious bone density loss and other health complications after receiving the contraceptive injection.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the Depo Provera lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your Depo Provera lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The Depo Provera lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have decades of experience handling dangerous drugs cases similar to the Depo Provera lawsuit.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one suffered bone density loss, fractures, or other health problems after receiving Depo Provera injections, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the Depo Provera lawsuit today.