Updated: February 7, 2025
Depo Provera lawsuits are mounting nationwide as women who used the injectable contraceptive report developing meningiomas, a type of non-cancerous brain tumor. The legal actions represent patients who received the birth control injection, which has been in use since its FDA approval in 1992.
The lawsuits against manufacturer Pfizer Inc. center on claims that the company failed to properly warn healthcare providers and patients about potential risks associated with long-term Depo Provera use. Recent studies have suggested a possible connection between extended use of the contraceptive injection and the development of intracranial meningiomas, leading to increased scrutiny of the medication’s safety profile.
Depo Provera and Brain Tumors
Depo Provera, known generically as medroxyprogesterone acetate, has been a popular choice for long-term birth control since its FDA approval in 1992. Administered as an injection every three months, it has been used by hundreds of thousands of women across the country.
However, recent studies have cast a shadow over its safety profile, particularly concerning the risk of developing non-cancerous brain tumors, which often require surgical removal.
A study published in the British Medical Journal in March 2024 reported that women who used Depo Provera for more than a year had an elevated risk of developing intracranial meningiomas compared to people who did not use the drug. This research has become a cornerstone of the legal claims against Pfizer, with plaintiffs arguing that the company knew or should have known about these risks for years yet failed to disclose this risk to patients or doctors.
Depo Provera MDL No. 3140 Established in Florida
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has consolidated 27 Depo Provera lawsuits into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Florida. The decision was announced on February 7, 2025.
U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers will preside over the MDL. Judge Rodgers previously managed pretrial proceedings for the 3M earplug litigation, which concluded with a settlement agreement in March 2024.
The consolidated cases involve plaintiffs who allege that Depo Provera, a contraceptive injection manufactured by Pfizer, caused them to develop meningiomas, a type of brain tumor. While plaintiffs had requested California or Massachusetts as potential venues and Pfizer sought New York, the panel selected Florida, citing the district’s judicial resources and experience with similar cases.
With the establishment of the MDL, all current and future federal claims related to Depo Provera will be transferred to Judge Rodgers for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings. The process may include bellwether trials to test the strength of the claims.
A History of Depo Provera Lawsuits and Settlements
Women across the United States filed lawsuits against Pfizer in the early 2000s over side effects from the injectable birth control drug Depo Provera. These legal cases focused on bone density loss that some women experienced while using the contraceptive, with patients claiming Pfizer hadn’t properly warned them about this serious risk. The concerns became so significant that in 2004, the FDA stepped in and required Pfizer to add its strongest warning known as a “black box” to Depo Provera’s label. This new warning told doctors and patients that using the drug for more than two years could lead to bone loss that might not be reversible, and encouraged them to carefully consider long-term use.
Unlike some major drug injury cases that get combined into large MDL or group lawsuits, the Depo Provera cases followed a different path. Most women who sued Pfizer reached private settlements with the company, with the details kept confidential. Legal experts say there simply weren’t enough similar cases to justify grouping them together in what’s called multidistrict litigation. Between these private settlements and the stronger warning label, most of the legal challenges over Depo-Provera’s bone loss risks had wrapped up by the early 2010s.
Canadian Depo Provera Class Action Lawsuit
In May 2021, a long-running class action lawsuit against Pfizer Canada concluded with a $2.4 million settlement, resolving claims related to the injectable contraceptive Depo Provera. The class action litigation, which began in 2005 on behalf of Canadian women who used the drug between 1992 and 2005, addressed concerns about bone density loss and alleged that users were not adequately warned about this potential side effect. Under the class action settlement terms, eligible claimants who experienced bone density loss or fractures while using Depo Provera during the specified period could receive compensation, with individual payment amounts varying based on the severity and documentation of their medical conditions.
While Pfizer maintained that Depo Provera’s benefits outweighed its risks when properly prescribed, the company agreed to the class action settlement without admission of liability, and the drug continues to be available in Canada with updated warning labels regarding bone density effects.
Potential Settlement Amounts and Compensation
Legal experts predict that settlement amounts for Depo Provera lawsuits could range from $150,000 to $500,000, depending on the circumstances of each case. Factors influencing these amounts include the severity of the condition, the extent of medical expenses incurred, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
While no settlements have yet been announced, these estimates provide insight into the financial stakes of the litigation.
Side Effects and Warning Signs
Women who have used Depo Provera should be aware of potential symptoms that may indicate the presence of a brain tumor, particularly a meningioma. These symptoms can include:
- Persistent headaches
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Memory problems or confusion
- Seizures
- Weakness in limbs
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning
While these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a brain tumor, individuals with a history of Depo Provera use and experiencing such symptoms are strongly advised to consult with their healthcare provider.
How to Determine Eligibility for a Claim
For women who believe they may have been affected by Depo Provera, understanding the steps to file a lawsuit is important. The process typically includes:
- Seeking Legal Advice: Seek legal advice to determine eligibility and discuss the merits of your case.
- Gathering Evidence: Collect all relevant medical records of your Depo Provera use including prescription history and documentation of the development of non-cancerous brain tumors or meningiomas.
- Filing a Complaint: With the help of legal counsel, draft and file a formal complaint against Pfizer. Ensure the filing adheres to the statute of limitations in your state, which typically ranges from two to three years after diagnosis.
Your Rights Matter. Start Today.
If you or someone you love developed a brain tumor after using Depo Provera, you’re not alone. You deserve justice, compensation, and a team that will fight for you every step of the way. Our award-winning drug injury attorneys are ready to help. With years of experience and proven results, including millions recovered for clients, we know how to win even the toughest cases.
Time is limited. Legal deadlines can put your claim at risk.
Your free consultation comes with no cost and no pressure—just answers.
No Fees Unless You Win.
Your information is confidential and will not be shared without consent.