How Do I Know If I Qualify for the Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

A Depo-Provera brain tumor lawyer can help

Have you been diagnosed with meningioma, a type of brain tumor, after taking Depo-Provera, a synthetic progestogen created by Pfizer and marketed as a hormonal birth control injection? If so, our dangerous drugs lawyers at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC, in Mobile, Alabama, can handle your Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit.

Many women diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors have been taking legal action and filing a product liability lawsuit against Pfizer seeking compensation for their financial losses. That’s why it’s critical that you fully understand your rights and the legal options available to you.

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a birth control injection that contains progestin, a synthetic artificial version of the hormone progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone in most women that helps with menstruation and pregnancy.

Progesterone prepares the lining of a woman’s uterus (endometrium) for a fertilized egg to grow. If a woman becomes pregnant, most women naturally produce more progesterone to support the pregnancy until the placenta (the organ connecting the uterus to the fetus during pregnancy) forms and takes over the production of progesterone in the mother.

Depo-Provera was first approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992 as an injectable female contraception. Pharmacia & Upjohn initially developed Depo-Provera. Pfizer purchased Pharmacia & Upjohn in 2002.

How does Depo-Provera work?

Women who take Depo-Provera as a birth control contraceptive receive an injection every three months. The hormone injection was designed to prevent women from becoming pregnant in several ways:

Suppresses ovulation.
Prevents women from releasing an egg from their ovaries.
Increases thickness of cervical mucus which normally prevents sperm from reaching the egg.

In addition, in many cases, some women who take Depo-Provera develop tumors due to repeated, long-term exposure to progesterone.

What is meningioma?

Meningioma is a type of tumor that often forms in the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Meningioma is the most common type of tumor that forms in the head, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Meningioma tumors are more common in women, according to the Mayo Clinic. While they are not technically brain tumors, meningioma can severely impact someone’s brain functioning since meningioma tumors can apply pressure to the brain, sometimes resulting in seizures, vision loss, and difficulty speaking.

How does Depo-Provera cause meningioma brain tumors?

Depo-Provera can cause meningioma brain tumors due to the medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) hormone found in Depo-Provera, which can stimulate tumor growth in some women. This was especially true among women who took Depo-Provera for more than a year. Specifically, women who took Depo-Provera for more than 12 months were more likely to develop meningioma brain tumors.

How common are meningioma brain tumors due to Depo-Provera?

Recent scientific studies have found that women who receive Depo-Provera birth control injections for an extended period of time were significantly more likely to develop meningioma brain tumors.

One scientific study published in 2024 found that medroxyprogesterone acetate (the hormone in Depo-Provera) increased a woman’s risk of developing an intracranial meningioma (a tumor in the head) that requires surgery by 5.6 times.

Other negative side effects caused by Depo-Provera

Meningioma brain tumors are not the only health problems associated with taking Depo-Provera birth control injections. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the other medical issues associated with Depo-Provera use include:

Irregular menstrual periods.
Hair loss.
Osteoporosis, a type of bone disease that results in bone loss and causes bones to become weak and more susceptible to breaking.

In addition, Depo-Provera use has been linked with the following medical conditions:

Liver damage.
Breast cancer.
Blood clots.
Heart disease.
Stroke.

Common meningioma brain tumor symptoms

There are often warning signs of meningioma and other health issues caused by Depo-Provera. These symptoms can cover a wide range depending on what type of health issue you have as a result of receiving Depo-Provera birth control injections.

Side effects can include:

Frequent headaches.
Blurred vision.
Seizures.
Irregular periods.
Tingling sensation.
Unexplained weight gain.
Memory loss issues.
Dizziness and poor balance.
Abdominal pain.

Can I sue Depo-Provera?

You may be eligible to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit if you believe you have suffered harm and have sustained a financial loss due to taking the hormone birth control injections manufactured by Pfizer. Compensation for financial losses may include:

Medical treatments due to meningioma or other negative side effects caused by Depo-Provera.
Loss of income if you missed time from work while recovering from your health issues.
Lost future income if you cannot return to work in the future as a result of meningioma or another health issue.

Can I sue Pfizer for my Depo-Provera meningioma brain tumor?

One of the best ways to seek financial compensation for a meningioma tumor linked to Depo-Provera is to take legal action and file a lawsuit directly against Pfizer, which currently owns the legal rights to Depo-Provera.

Some lawsuits have already been filed against Pfizer in relation to Depo-Provera. In October 2024, one woman filed a lawsuit against Pfizer seeking damages (financial compensation), claiming Pfizer knew about the dangerous side effects of Depo-Provera but took no action to address them or warn the public. The woman who filed the Pfizer Depo-Provera lawsuit claims she developed a brain tumor due to the birth control drug.

Is there a Depo-Provera class action lawsuit?

As of this writing, there is no Depo-Provera class action lawsuit against Pfizer. However, there could be in the future. Or perhaps a multidistrict litigation (MDL) lawsuit.

A class action lawsuit is a legal case filed by one or more individuals on behalf of a much larger group who experienced similar harm caused by the same at-fault party.

An MDL lawsuit is similar to a class action lawsuit. That’s because multiple lawsuits are combined into a single lawsuit in one federal district court. If this happens, all pretrial steps – including discovery, expert testimony, and evidence gathering – for all Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits throughout the United States would be handled by a single judge in a single district court.

Who qualifies for a Depo-Provera lawsuit?

Anyone who experienced severe health problems caused by Depo-Provera, including developing a meningioma tumor or another potentially life-threatening health issue – such as a brain tumor, liver damage, breast cancer, heart disease, or stroke – may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

A Depo-Provera lawsuit attorney can help you better understand if you qualify for such legal action. Here are questions a lawyer may ask to see if you’re eligible for compensation:

How long did you take Depo-Provera?
When was your brain tumor or other health condition diagnosed?
Did you experience other medical problems due to taking Depo-Provera?
Were you unable to work after being diagnosed with a brain tumor caused by Depo-Provera?
Have you been able to return to work since receiving medical treatment for health issues caused by Depo-Provera?

How do I file a Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit?

The first step is talking to a lawyer to review your potential legal options. If you’re eligible, an attorney can work with you to determine where you should file a lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for compensation for financial losses sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence. Some federal courts and legal jurisdictions could be better suited for your lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of your case. That’s why it’s so important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

How much time do I have to file a Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit?

The legal deadline (known as the statute of limitations) could vary for such lawsuits, which are just beginning to be filed against Pfizer in connection with Depo-Provera meningioma brain tumors.

Some states have a statute of limitations deadline as short as one year in some product liability cases. In other states, the statute of limitations for product liability cases is longer. For example, Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations deadline for most product liability cases. Remember, the sooner you seek legal help, the better.

How much is my Depo-Provera meningioma claim worth?

There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to Depo-Provera meningioma claims because every case is different. However, you should be compensated for all your financial losses associated with your diagnosis. Such expenses can cover a wide range, including:

Diagnostic medical tests to determine if you have a brain tumor.
Emergency medical care to treat meningioma.
Surgery to remove your brain tumor.
Hospital fees if you need to stay overnight in a hospital after surgery or emergency medical care.
Follow-up doctor’s appointments to monitor your progress.
In-home medical care if necessary.
Follow-up surgery in some cases.
Replacement income if you need time off from work to rest and recover.
Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to your brain tumor.
Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses.

Why should I hire a Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit attorney?

Dangerous drug and product liability cases involving Depo-Provera can be extremely complicated legal matters. Multinational corporations like Pfizer have teams of attorneys looking out for their best interests. That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side who understands how the legal system works and who can level the playing field.

The Depo-Provera meningioma brain tumor lawyers at Dean Waite & Associates, LLC in Mobile, Alabama, can make sure your legal case receives the attention it rightfully deserves. We know the state and federal laws that apply to product liability cases, especially in terms of dangerous drug cases involving Depo-Provera.

We have recovered millions for injury victims and their families. Learn more about your legal rights. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Depo-Provera lawsuit lawyer who can help you demand justice and accountability.

Click here to download a printable PDF of this article, “How Do I Know If I Qualify for the Depo-Provera Lawsuit?”