Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Did Depo-Provera Cause Your Brain Tumor?

Women diagnosed with meningioma after long-term use of Depo-Provera may have a legal claim for compensation. A landmark 2024 BMJ study found a dramatically elevated risk, the FDA approved a meningioma warning label update in December 2025, and thousands of cases are now consolidated in federal MDL 3140 with Daubert hearings set for June 2026 and first trials scheduled for December 2026.

5.6×
Higher meningioma risk associated with long-term Depo-Provera use
Source: Dray et al., BMJ, March 2024
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Depo-Provera & Meningioma: What You Need to Know

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate, or MPA) is an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer that has been used by millions of women in the United States. Administered as a shot every three months, it has been prescribed since the early 1990s.

In March 2024, a peer-reviewed study in the British Medical Journal (Dray et al.) analyzed health data from over 18,000 women in France and found that long-term use of Depo-Provera was associated with a 5.6 times higher risk of intracranial meningioma requiring surgery compared to non-users.

A meningioma is a tumor of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While often classified as benign, these tumors can grow to press on the brain - causing headaches, vision loss, hearing problems, cognitive changes, and seizures - and often require surgery, radiation, or both.

Lawsuits allege that Pfizer knew or should have known about this association and failed to adequately warn patients and prescribing physicians, depriving women of the ability to make informed contraceptive choices. In December 2025, the FDA approved a label update adding a meningioma warning to Depo-Provera - a key development for the litigation.

In February 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated Depo-Provera cases into MDL 3140 (In re: Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation) in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. As of April 2026, approximately 3,490 cases are pending in the MDL, with an estimated 10,000 additional unfiled claims being held by plaintiffs' firms. Daubert and general causation hearings are scheduled for June 24-26, 2026, with the first pilot trials set for December 2026.

5.6×
Elevated meningioma risk associated with long-term use (BMJ, 2024)
Dray et al., BMJ, March 2024
MDL 3140
Federal multidistrict litigation; 3,490+ cases pending as of April 2026
N.D. Fla., Judge M. Casey Rodgers
Dec 2025
FDA approved Depo-Provera label update with meningioma warning
FDA, December 2025
Dec 2026
First pilot trials scheduled (Daubert hearings June 2026)
MDL 3140 scheduling orders
⏰ Act Before Key 2026 Milestones: Statutes of limitations vary by state - many start the clock when the injury was discovered, not when exposure occurred. With Daubert hearings set for June 24-26, 2026, and first pilot trials in December 2026, the litigation is moving quickly. Delay can jeopardize your right to recover or to participate in any resulting resolution.

Do You Qualify? Common Eligibility Criteria

While every case is unique and requires individual attorney review, individuals who may have a viable Depo-Provera claim typically meet criteria similar to the following:

✓ Likely Qualifying Criteria

  • Used Depo-Provera injectable contraceptive for one year or more
  • Diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma (brain tumor on the meninges)
  • Meningioma required treatment - surgery, radiation, or active monitoring
  • Diagnosis occurred during Depo-Provera use or within a reasonable period after
  • Experienced neurological symptoms, cognitive changes, or other complications
  • Within the applicable statute of limitations for your state

Understanding Meningioma Diagnosis

Meningiomas are typically diagnosed via MRI or CT scan. They are classified by grade (1, 2, or 3), with Grade 1 being most common but potentially still requiring surgical intervention depending on size and location. Grade 2 and 3 meningiomas are more aggressive.

Other Synthetic Progestins

The 2024 BMJ study also found elevated meningioma risk with other high-dose progestins such as cyproterone acetate and chlormadinone acetate. Ongoing research is evaluating associations with additional synthetic progestins. If you were prescribed a progestin-based medication other than Depo-Provera, discuss your situation with an attorney.

Pfizer's Alleged Failures

Plaintiffs allege that Pfizer was aware of or had access to scientific data suggesting a meningioma association - particularly from European post-marketing data - and failed to update the Depo-Provera warning label or adequately inform the medical community for years, constituting a failure to warn under product liability law. The FDA approved a meningioma warning label update in December 2025, after the Dray et al. BMJ findings and the start of coordinated litigation - a timing sequence plaintiffs point to in support of their allegations.

MDL 3140: Current Litigation Posture

Depo-Provera cases were consolidated in February 2025 into MDL 3140 in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. As of April 2026, approximately 3,490 cases are pending in the MDL, with an estimated 10,000 additional unfiled claims. The court has scheduled Daubert and general-causation hearings for June 24-26, 2026, with the first pilot (bellwether) trials beginning in December 2026. Outcomes at the causation-evidence stage often set the trajectory for global settlement discussions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Depo-Provera and who makes it?
Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer. It contains medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progestin given as a shot every three months to prevent pregnancy. It has been widely prescribed in the United States since the 1990s.
What is a meningioma and is it serious?
A meningioma is a tumor that forms on the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While many meningiomas are non-cancerous (benign), they can grow to press on the brain, causing headaches, vision problems, hearing loss, memory issues, and seizures. Treatment often requires surgery, radiation, or both, and can result in lasting neurological effects.
What does the 2024 BMJ study show about Depo-Provera and meningiomas?
A March 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) by Dray et al. analyzed over 18,000 women in France and found that long-term use of Depo-Provera was associated with a 5.6 times higher risk of intracranial meningioma requiring surgery compared to non-users. This was a peer-reviewed, population-based study drawing on national health data.
How long do I need to have used Depo-Provera to qualify?
The research focused on long-term use. Generally, attorneys are evaluating claims from women who used Depo-Provera for one year or more and were subsequently diagnosed with a meningioma. The exact duration threshold may vary as litigation develops, so a case review with a qualified attorney is the best way to assess your specific situation.
Did Pfizer warn patients about meningioma risk?
Lawsuits allege that Pfizer failed to adequately warn patients and prescribing physicians about the association between long-term Depo-Provera use and meningioma risk despite the emergence of scientific evidence. Plaintiffs contend that had they been warned, they would have made different contraceptive choices.
Can I still file a claim if I had surgery to remove the tumor?
Yes. In fact, meningiomas that required surgical intervention are generally the central focus of current claims. Surgery, radiation, or other treatment, as well as ongoing neurological effects, are among the damages that may be considered in a lawsuit.
Is there a class action or MDL for Depo-Provera meningioma cases?
Yes. In February 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated Depo-Provera cases into MDL 3140 (In re: Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation) in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. As of April 2026, approximately 3,490 cases are pending in the MDL, with an estimated 10,000 additional unfiled claims. Daubert and general-causation hearings are set for June 24-26, 2026, and the first pilot (bellwether) trials are scheduled for December 2026. Note that an MDL is not a class action - each plaintiff retains their individual case within the coordinated proceeding.
Did the FDA update the Depo-Provera label?
Yes. In December 2025, the FDA approved a label update for Depo-Provera adding a warning about the risk of meningioma. Plaintiffs in MDL 3140 cite this label update as evidence that the meningioma risk was material and should have been warned about earlier - although the label update itself does not determine liability, which is still being contested in court.
How long do I have to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for product liability claims varies by state - consult an attorney to confirm your specific filing deadline. In many states, the clock starts when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Given active litigation, acting promptly is advisable.
How much does it cost to pursue a Depo-Provera claim?
UnitedClaimsBureau works with attorneys on a contingency fee basis - meaning there are no upfront costs to you. Attorney fees are only paid if your case results in a recovery.*
What should I keep as evidence?
Key evidence includes: pharmacy records or prescription history showing Depo-Provera use, medical records showing your meningioma diagnosis (MRI, CT scans, pathology reports), surgical records if applicable, and any communications with your prescribing physician. Start gathering these records as soon as possible.

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If you were diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you may have a legal claim. Find out in minutes - confidential, no obligation.

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