Depo-Provera Lawsuits and Meningioma Risks: What You Need to Know

New Study Links Depo-Provera to Dangerous Brain Tumors — Thousands May Be Entitled to Compensation

Depo-Provera, a popular birth control injection manufactured by Pfizer, is now at the center of growing legal action. Women across the country are filing product liability lawsuits alleging that the use of Depo-Provera has been linked to the development of meningiomas — slow-growing but potentially dangerous brain tumors that can lead to seizures, vision problems, and permanent neurological damage.

A recent study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) has brought renewed attention to the connection between long-term Depo-Provera use and a heightened risk of meningiomas, sparking serious questions about what the manufacturer knew — and when.

If you or a loved one received Depo-Provera injections and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, you may be eligible to join the ongoing Depo-Provera mass tort litigation and pursue compensation.

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is an injectable contraceptive used by millions of women worldwide. It works by releasing a synthetic form of the hormone progestin to prevent ovulation. The shot is typically administered once every three months and has been marketed as a safe, convenient alternative to daily birth control pills.

Depo-Provera has been on the U.S. market since the early 1990s and is widely used in both reproductive healthcare and treatment of conditions like endometriosis. However, emerging data has revealed that its hormonal makeup — specifically, the long-term use of progestins — may significantly increase the risk of certain hormone-sensitive tumors.

The BMJ Study: Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors

In February 2024, a peer-reviewed study published in The BMJ examined the potential relationship between progestin-based hormonal contraceptives and the development of intracranial meningiomas.

The large-scale French study tracked more than 100,000 women and found a statistically significant increase in the risk of meningioma among long–term Depo-Provera users.

Notably, the study revealed that:

• Women who received 10 or more Depo-Provera injections had nearly a four–fold increase in the risk of developing meningiomas.
• The risk was particularly pronounced with cumulative exposure over a five–year period or longer.
• Meningiomas linked to Depo–Provera use were more likely to occur in sensitive regions of the brain, requiring complex surgical intervention.

These findings have served as a wake-up call for regulators, physicians, and patients alike. More importantly, they have become the foundation for the wave of Depo-Provera lawsuits now being filed nationwide.

What Is a Meningioma?

A meningioma is a type of tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. While typically classified as “benign,” these tumors can cause severe symptoms depending on their size and location.

Common complications from meningiomas include:

• Chronic headaches
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Hearing or vision problems
• Weakness or paralysis
• Personality changes
• Life-threatening brain herniation or swelling

Treatment often requires surgical removal, radiation therapy, or ongoing monitoring with MRIs. In some cases, the tumors can return even after surgery.

Depo-Provera Lawsuits: Legal Claims and Allegations

Women filing lawsuits over Depo-Provera allege that Pfizer failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about the risks associated with long-term use of the drug. Key legal claims include:

• Failure to warn: Plaintiffs argue that Pfizer knew or should have known about the risks of hormone-sensitive tumors like meningiomas but failed to update the drug’s warning label in a timely or sufficient manner.
• Design defect: Some lawsuits allege that Depo-Provera was defectively designed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous for long-term use.
• Negligence: Plaintiffs are also alleging that Pfizer breached its duty of care by failing to conduct proper post-market surveillance or respond appropriately to adverse event reports.
• Fraudulent concealment: In some cases, plaintiffs claim that Pfizer intentionally concealed information about tumor risks from the public and regulatory authorities.

These claims have formed the basis of a growing mass tort litigation effort — meaning plaintiffs are filing coordinated lawsuits that allow for efficient discovery, pretrial proceedings, and potentially a global settlement.

Who May Be Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

You may be eligible to join the Depo-Provera mass tort litigation if you:

• Received multiple Depo–Provera injections (particularly 5+ years of use)
• Were later diagnosed with a meningioma, especially one requiring surgery or neurological treatment
• Experienced complications such as seizures, vision loss, or other symptoms associated with brain tumors
• Were not warned by your doctor or received no information about tumor risks associated with Depo-Provera

In some states, claims may also be brought by surviving family members of women who died as a result of tumor-related complications.

The FDA Response and Updated Warnings

Although the FDA has not yet issued a full recall of Depo-Provera, regulators are under increasing pressure to re-evaluate the safety profile of the drug. In light of the BMJ study and mounting litigation, public health officials may require stronger warning labels and updated guidance for clinicians prescribing Depo-Provera — especially for long-term use.

In some European countries, regulators have already issued restrictions on progestin-based contraceptives due to similar tumor risks. Legal experts and medical professionals alike are urging U.S. authorities to follow suit.

Why Mass Torts Are Effective in Holding Big Pharma Accountable

Mass tort litigation plays a critical role in leveling the playing field between injured consumers and large pharmaceutical companies. Rather than filing thousands of individual cases, plaintiffs join a coordinated legal effort to streamline the litigation process, share resources, and amplify their voices.

In successful mass torts, courts may allow “bellwether trials” — representative cases that help establish patterns of liability, damages, and causation. These early trial results often shape the course of global settlement negotiations.

Notable examples of successful pharmaceutical mass torts include:

• Talcum powder and ovarian cancer (Johnson & Johnson)
• Zantac and NDMA–related cancer
• Essure birth control implant injuries
• Opioid litigation settlements against manufacturers and distributors

If you’ve been harmed by Depo-Provera, joining a mass tort may be the most effective path to justice and compensation.

What Compensation Could Victims Recover?

If your lawsuit is successful, you may be eligible for compensation that covers:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or neurological impairment
• Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)

Some cases may also include punitive damages if the court finds that the manufacturer acted with gross negligence or willful disregard for public safety.

How to Protect Your Rights

If you suspect that Depo-Provera played a role in your diagnosis, you should take the following steps immediately:

1. Consult your medical records: Document the number and dates of Depo-Provera injections and collect records of your diagnosis, imaging scans, and treatment.
2. Get a legal evaluation: Speak with an experienced Depo–Provera lawsuit attorney who can evaluate your case and advise you on your options.
3. File within your state’s statute of limitations: Legal deadlines vary by state, so it’s essential to act quickly to preserve your right to compensation.

At Keilty Bonadio, our attorneys have decades of experience holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for dangerous products. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we win your case.

Contact a Depo-Provera Injury Lawyer Today

At Keilty Bonadio, we are currently reviewing cases nationwide as part of the emerging Depo–Provera mass tort litigation.

We understand the trauma and uncertainty that come with a tumor diagnosis — and we are committed to helping you fight back against corporate negligence. Let us help you hold the manufacturer accountable and get the justice you deserve.