Have you ever used the popular Shot, Depo-Provera, as a method of birth control?
Did you later find you had a meningioma, a class of brain tumor?
If you are, you could be entitled to compensation. Already more than 500 women from around the U.S. are part of a huge legal fight against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera. This lawsuit asserts that the drug causes meningiomas — a proposition supported by powerful scientific evidence.
So the short answer is that if you’re wondering whether you can participate, you must have received at least two shots of Depo-Provera and been diagnosed with a meningioma. The cases are now centralized as part of Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) 3140 in the Northern District of Florida, for which bellwether trials are anticipated as soon as 2027.
Why Is Pfizer Being Sued?
Let’s be blunt: Pfizer is liable for hundreds of lawsuits related to Depo-Provera inducing meningioma brain tumors. These tumors arise in the protective membranes that line your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas aren’t cancerous, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t wreak havoc on your health — these benign tumors can lead to headaches, vision problems, memory loss, seizures and more. Surgery or radiation therapy may be necessary in severe cases.
The kicker? Pfizer knew of this risk, but did not warn patients, the lawsuit said. Plenty of other research from decades past implicates synthetic hormones — including medroxyprogesterone acetate, the active ingredient in Depo-Provera — in the growth of meningiomas. But the warning labels have been silent — until now. Evidence keeps mounting and now, women who relied on Depo–Provera as their birth control method of choice are coming forth to make Pfizer pay.
How to Tell if You’re Eligible
To file a Depo-Provera lawsuit, you must be:
- You took Depo-Provera: In particular, you must have had at least two shots of the medication.
- You had been diagnosed with a meningioma: You will need proof of diagnosis in the form of medical records.
- Why two injections? Studies indicate a dose-response relationship; the longer you use Depo-Provera, the greater your chances of developing a meningioma. However, even some new users may be eligible for the diagnosis if it meets the above criteria.
Where Will You File?
You don’t need to jump through hoops to file a claim. The following two authoritative sources can help guide you through the process:
- Miller & Zois: Call them at 800-553-8082 or go to their website.
- Legal Claim Assistant: Another good way to get in touch with some of the top lawyers.
Both also provide free case reviews, so there’s no downside in their hearing from you — even if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible.
How to File Your Claim – A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s what comes next after you decide you want to proceed:
Request a Free Case Review
Begin by speaking with an attorney online or over the phone. You’ll discuss your medical history and use of Depo-Provera during this initial visit. No sweat — you have to pay nothing up front. These services work on a contingency basis so you pay only if you win.
Gather Medical Records
You attorney will assist you in gathering the following documents:
- Documentation of Depo-Provera injections (prescriptions, insurance claims, etc.)
- Confirmation of the diagnosis of meningioma (MRI scans, biopsy reports, treatment plans)
- This move serves to fortify your claim and drive it to the courthouse.
- Join the MDL
Your lawyer will file your case under MDL 3140 in the Northern District of Florida after you are finished with all your paperwork. Think of the MDL as a temporary pen where like cases are corralled to expedite pretrial maneuvering. It’s efficient, cost-effective and it can enhance the prospects for reaching a global settlement.
What Might Your Compensation Be?
While no numbers are definitive yet, projections based on other mass torts indicate that final payouts could fall anywhere between $100,000 and $1 million or even more per claimant. Several key factors affect the final amount:
- the tumor’s severity: since a Grade III meningioma is aggressive and life-threatening, it usually leads to greater compensation than a less dangerous benign Grade I;
- the treatment’s cost: since one might have to receive surgeries, take many medications, do some physical therapy work, and continue consultation for a while;
- the impact on life: if you are young or have received a permanent disability, compensation will be more because a low quality of life for many years is guaranteed.
For comparison, look at the Zantac mass tort – the latest Novartis competitor’s case. The final compensation sums not only varied significantly but ranged from six to seven digits. As brain tumors are a very serious matter, the compensation via Depo-Provera claims might differ.
