Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a popular injectable birth control administered every three months. The contraceptive injection contains the hormone progestin and is widely used to suppress the menstrual cycle along with several types of negative menstrual conditions and side effects. However, recent studies have linked Depo-Provera to an increased risk for developing meningiomas. Depo-Provera lawsuits are being filed on behalf of women who used the medication and subsequently developed meningiomas. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer failed to properly advise both doctors and patients about the risk. As an increasing number of tumor cases arise, it becomes clear that sufficient warning and long-term health studies were not pursued.
If you have developed a meningioma tumor after taking Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for the harm and suffering you have experienced. The California Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorneys at Nadrich Law can help you.
Call us now at 800-718-4658 for a free consultation to see if you have a qualifying Depo-Provera claim.
Am I Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?
Eligibility for a Depo-Provera lawsuit is determined by three key factors: Usage, diagnosis, and other considerations.
- Usage – Must have used Depo-Provera or an authorized generic version at least twice.
- Diagnosis – Must have been diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor after using Depo-Provera
- Other factors – Date of last Depo-Provera use and date of diagnosis
Contact us now to see if you have a qualifying claim.
What Is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is a progestin injection used for birth control, menstrual suppression, and management of negative menstrual symptoms. It prevents pregnancy by preventing eggs from developing and increases cervical mucus to prevent sperm from traveling toward an egg.
“Depo” is a popular birth control alternative administered once every three months. Many women prefer the solution because it does not require pills or a patch. However, long-term use is not advised due to risks of permanent bone density loss and increased risk of breast cancer associated with most progestin-based hormonal birth control. Depo Provera is also known to cause typical birth control issues like weight changes and depression.
Side Effects of Depo-Provera
Some common side effects that results from Depo-Provera usage includes headache, weight gain, changes in mood, period changes, decreased libido and more. In more severe cases, one might experience bloating and nausea, bone density loss, acne and other side effects. In rare cases, severe side effects such as menstrual changes, depression, blood clotting, brain tumors and more might occur.
Meningiomas
Unfortunately, one of the side effects of Depo-Provera birth control is an increased risk of tumors of the brain and spinal cord. The British Medical Journal reports that Depo-Provera increases the risk of intracranial meningiomas by 5.6 times if the birth control medication is used for over a year. Considering that many women choose it as their primary form of birth control, the risk of meningiomas can increase over time.
Progestin-related drugs, along with other hormone therapy medications like medrogestone and Promegestone, also increase the risk of intracranial meningiomas. Pfizer is aware of the risks of long-term progestogens, but women and their doctors were not adequately warned about the risks before Depo-Provera is prescribed.
Depo-Provera Lawsuit Updates
November 6, 2024 Update
A California woman filed a lawsuit in California on October 28 which alleges that she developed a meningioma brain tumor because she received shots of Depo Provera.
The lawsuit alleges that various companies who made and sold the drug and its generic versions did not adequately warn doctors and users of the risk of brain tumors associated with the drug.
The lawsuit alleges she needed a bifrontal craniotomy in order to remove the tumor, and even continued to receive the shots after this surgery since her doctors didn't know the shots were connected to the tumor.
The woman, according to the lawsuit, began receiving the shots in 1999 and kept receiving them on a regular basis for 19 years, including shots of the brand name version as well as authorized generics.
The woman, according to the lawsuit, eventually developed symptoms such as persistent headaches, memory issues, lethargy and disorientation. The woman eventually got disoriented while she was driving, went to the ER and was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
The surgery to remove her tumor allegedly involved drilling holes into her skull, removing a section of bone from her skull, retracting the frontal brain lobes, then surgically removing as much tumor as was possible. Following the surgery, the removed part of the skull was secured back in place by a plate.
Following the surgery, the woman allegedly suffered from double vision and blurred vision caused by parts of the brain experiencing obstructed blood flow.
The lawsuit points out that while Depo Provera's label has warned about brain tumor risks since 2015, the same warnings were not provided on the drug's United States label, leading to most U.S. doctors not knowing about the risks.
The woman allegedly continues suffering from numerous impairments, including memory issues, anxiety, less sense of taste, and losing her sense of smell. The woman also needs medication to prevent seizures and needs to use a wheeled walker.
October 30, 2024 Update
A lawsuit filed by a California woman on October 24 in California alleges that the woman developed meningioma, a form of brain tumor, due to her use of Depo Provera. The lawsuit alleges the tumor is too dangerous to be removed by doctors.
The lawsuit names Pfizer Inc., Upjohn Co. LLC, Pharmacia, Pharmacia LLC, Prasco LLC, Greenstone LLC and Viatris Inc. as defendants. The lawsuit indicates the woman received injections of name brand Depo Provera in addition to authorized generic versions.
The lawsuit notes that while warning labels for the drug have warned about a brain tumor risk since 2015 in Canada, these warnings were not provided on warning labels in the United States.
The woman, according to the lawsuits, received 91 shots of the drug between 2000 and 2024. The woman allegedly started experiencing symptoms like blurred vision, vertigo, headaches, ear itching and lightheadedness, and after multiple medical visits regarding these symptoms, she was diagnosed with a meningioma in 2020.
As of September 2024, the tumor was allegedly 9 mm, and due to its calcified nature, it is allegedly too dangerous to surgically remove. Because of this, the woman has had to endure continuous headaches.
The lawsuit alleges the defendants knew or should have known about the brain tumor risk connected with the drug but failed to warn about it.
October 21, 2024 Update
A lawsuit filed on October 15 in Indiana alleges that a woman developed a large meningioma after receiving shots of Depo-Provera. The lawsuit alleges that since he woman wasn't warned that the drug could cause brain tumors, she continued to get injections of the drug after surgical remover of the tumor, and that this led to aggressive regrowth of the tumor.
The lawsuit alleges that the drug's makers knew or should have known that the drug leads to a higher risk of meningioma development, yet failed to warn users of the drug or the medical community of this risk.
The lawsuit alleges that the woman started receiving shots of the drug in 1995, and kept receiving them until October of 2018. The lawsuit indicates that side effects of the drug caused the woman to become dizzy and fall in 2008, leading to severe bruising, facial lacerations requiring 17 stitches, and a fractured vertebra.
Between 2015 and 2017 the woman allegedly suffered from excessive sleep, apathy, light sensitivity, dizziness, confusion, depression, irritability, frustration and incontinence. Testing eventually revealed the woman developed a large brain tumor known as a meningioma, and this tumor was removed surgically in 2017.
Around six months after the removal surgery, the tumor began aggressively regrowing, according to the lawsuit, necessitating 36 rounds of radiation treatment to stop the brain tumor's growth.
October 3, 2024 Update
A lawsuit was filed in California on October 1 by a California woman who alleges that she developed a brain tumor called a Sylvian fissure meningioma at only 37 years old due to her use of Depo-Provera. The lawsuit claims the woman needed brain surgery in order to remove this tumor. The surgery was allegedly invasive, involving a deep scalp incision and the skull being cut open by a drill-like tool. Surgeons allegedly needed to remove a significant portion of tissue from around the woman's brain and needed to replace it with tissue from a cow heart.
The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer knew or should have known that Depo-Provera can cause brain tumors but failed to warn about this risk. The lawsuit cites extensive research which shows that Depo-Provera's active ingredient can increase the risk of tumors developing.
March 1, 2024 Update
A BMJ study has revealed that people using injectible medroxyprogesterone (like Depo-Provera) may have a higher risk of meningiomas. The primary claim for Depo-Provera lawsuits is failure to warn, in which the drug manufacturer Pfizer is identified as not having provided adequate warnings about risks associated with the drug that might have prevented its use in an informed patient decision.
December 1, 2020 Update
A study on meningioma (brain tumor) lawsuits has revealed a pattern of meningiomas in women who took Depo-Provera. The average meningioma lawsuit settlement was around $850,000, targeting failure to diagnose. There has since been a rise in Depo-Provera lawsuits regarding the development of meningiomas and the failure to inform patients of the risks.
What to Do If You’ve Been Affected
Symptoms of brain and spinal tumors include severe headaches, vision changes, hearing loss, memory loss, and loss of smell. Fatigue and seizures may also occur. If you’ve experienced these symptoms or been diagnosed with meningiomas after using Depo-Provera, take steps to protect your health. You may have a valid claim against Pfizer, the medication’s manufacturer.
Here’s what you should do:
- Seek medical attention – Get your condition diagnosed and seek treatment. Take care of yourself and put your health first.
- Talk to a Depo-Provera attorney – Discuss the potential of your case to make medical claims if you believe that Depo-Provera may have been the source of your spine and brain tumors, for which you were not properly warned.
Filing a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
The first step to filing a Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit or spinal tumor lawsuit is to work with a personal injury attorney. Look for someone who specializes in medical cases, as fighting a pharmaceutical manufacturer is a complex and critical task, especially concerning a case type which will probably involve a multidistrict litigation in the future like this one. Together, you will build a case of medical evidence regarding how your birth control shot use likely caused your current medical condition, the severity of your condition, and the compensation that could be reached as a settlement if your case succeeds.
Gathering Evidence for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Collecting the evidence needed to prove your claim is vital. Evidence which might strengthen your case includes prescription records, comprehensive medical records, financial records which prove damages, witness and personal testimony, as well as proof that the medication you took was Depo-Provera or a generic which is authorized.
Don’t worry — you do not need to have all of this evidence and documentation before you call us. If you have a qualifying claim, we will request records on your behalf, and guide the collection of evidence. We provide the below details for informational purposes to show you how we will prove our client’s case.
Evidence needed for Depo-Provera lawsuits includes:
- Documentation of use of Depo-Provera: Medical records, such as doctor’s notes and prescription records, which demonstrate you received Depo-Provera, an authorized generic or depo-SubQ at least twice.
- Records of diagnosis: Proof that you were diagnosed with a brain tumor or meningioma, including CT or MRI scan results, pathology reports, and oncologist or neurologist records which show your diagnosis happened after you started Depo-Provera.
- Records of treatment: Documentation that you received treatment for your tumor, like medication, radiation therapy or surgery.
- Prescription and pharmacy records: Records which show that Depo-Provera or an authorized generic was dispensed, and which establish frequency of use and a timeline of use.
- Witness testimony: Statements from coworkers, friends or family explaining how your life has been impacted.
- Your testimony: Your personal account of your use of Depo-Provera, your symptoms’ onset, and how the tumor has affected your life, including loss of income, pain and suffering.
- Financial records: These document your economic losses relating to lost wages, medical bills and additional expenses which relate to your tumor.
- Impact upon your quality of life: This involves evidence which shows how your quality of life has been affected by your tumor, including psychological trauma, loss of enjoyment or work incapacity.
- Event timeline: A clear timeline which links you starting Depo-Provera, the diagnosis of the tumor, and the progression of the condition.
- Verification of the involvement of a defendant: Evidence that the drug you used was Depo-Provera made by Pfizer, or, alternately, an authorized generic is important to establish who the defendant is in your lawsuit.
How Much Is a Depo-Provera Settlement Worth?
The total amount that you might receive as a Depo-Provera settlement varies from case to case. However, certain conditions will be considered, including both your financial losses and the emotional impact that the loss has caused.
The following factors will impact your settlement value:
- Medical expenses – The cost of doctor’s visits, scans, and medical treatments.
- Long-term recovery costs – The cost of future treatments and medical care during recovery.
- Lost wages – Wages lost due to the illness taking you away from work.
- Lost earning potential – Loss of the ability to earn at your full capacity.
- Pain and suffering – The suffering and harm you experienced as a result of the illness.
- Loss of consortium – Loss of the ability to participate as a full member of your household.
In addition to the amount of money you lost to the illness, your lawyer may also seek punitive damages on your behalf as part of a Depo-Provera shot lawsuit.
Who Isn’t Eligible for a Lawsuit?
Not every individual who has taken injectable birth control is going to qualify to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit. As an example, patients who only took unauthorized generic or non-brand versions, did not use the drug sufficiently, received tumor diagnoses prior to use of Depo-Provera, or have been diagnosed with pre-existing neurological problems may not qualify to recover compensation.
Exclusions for eligibility for a lawsuit include:
- Insufficient use: Those who have used the product less than two times might get excluded.
- Diagnosis prior to use: Those diagnosed with meningioma before using the drug might not qualify.
- No diagnosed tumor: Those who haven’t been diagnosed with a meningioma tumor might not qualify despite other symptoms.
- Usage of additional contraceptives: Those whose tumor diagnosis might be explained by other hormonal medications or contraceptives might get excluded.
- Conditions which are pre-existing: Those with a history of meningiomas, brain tumors or additional neurological conditions which predate their Depo-Provera use might not qualify.
- Other diagnoses: Those diagnosed with neurological conditions or brain tumors which are not related to Depo-Provera or progestin might get excluded.
- Restrictions related to timeframe: A time limit may exist regarding how long after your last usage of the drug a diagnosis needs to be made in order to qualify. Diagnoses made after this timeframe might result in you getting excluded from a lawsuit.
Contact us to see if you qualify. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Depo-Provera Statute of Limitations to File a Claim
The statute of limitations in a dangerous drug lawsuit will vary from state to state. Depending on the patient’s state of use or residence, the timeline may start from the date of discovery of injury, but may be extended in certain instances. The statute of limitations might start when the meningioma brain tumor gets diagnosed, or when the patient learns that their meningioma could be caused by prior Depo-Provera usage. There may also be different claim filing deadlines for wrongful death claims, where a family member’s death was caused by a meningioma tumor.
Since the statute of limitations can vary significantly in these cases, it’s essential to contact an attorney handling Dep0-Provera claims. A lawyer can help make sure your lawsuit is filed on time, and help with gathering the right documentation to build your case.
Our experienced team of birth control lawsuit attorneys have handled other dangerous drug claims, including Mirena IUD, Paragard IUD, Ortho-Evra, Yaz/Yasmine, and much more.
Contact us now for a free, confidential consultation. See if you have a case by completing the contact form or calling us at 800-718-4658.
While our firm is based in California, our legal teams handle Depo-Provera claims nationwide.
Do not delay, contact us today to see if you qualify for a Depo-Provera lawsuit.
Who Manufactures Depo-Provera?
Pfizer is a pharmaceutical company based in New York. The company is known for medications such as Zoloft, Xanax, Viagra and Advil, as well as its COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer saw the second largest revenue of any pharmaceutical company in 2020.
Pfizer was founded over 150 years ago and its triumphs include discovery of citric acid as well as mass production of vitamin C and penicillin.
However, the company has also been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging they sold defective medications. The company has also been charged with healthcare fraud by the United States government.
In May 2024, it was reported that Pfizer would pay as much as $250 million to settle lawsuits which allege that the company failed to warn the public that Zantac could cause cancer.
In 2013, the company paid out a $273 settlement over lawsuits which alleged that Chantix provoked homicidal and suicidal thoughts, severe psychological disorders and self-harm.
In 2012, Pfizer paid out about $1 billion in order to settle lawsuits which claimed that Prempro caused patients to develop breast cancer.
In 2011, Pfizer had to compensate families of children who were killed in a drug trial in Africa. This drug trial involved giving one group of children their new drug and another group of children a conventional antibiotic. It was alleged that Pfizer intentionally gave the control group less of the conventional antibiotic than recommended to make their new drug appear more effective, and it was alleged that six children died because of this.
In 2009, Pfizer paid out a $2.3 billion settlement over falsely promoting Zyvox, Lyrica Pregabalin, Geodon capsules and Bextra valdecoxib tablets.
In 2004, Pfizer paid out a $430 million settlement over the off-label promotion of Neurontin.
In 1986, Pfizer needed to withdraw from the market their artificial heart valve because its defects caused it to be implicated in excess of 300 deaths. The company ended up paying out hundreds of millions of dollars due to lawsuits.
Contact a Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you have been affected by the Depo-Provera brain tumor risk, don’t hesitate to call Nadrich Law to explore your legal options. We’ll help you put together a case based on your eligibility and the total impact that the illness has had on your life as a result of Depo-Provera.
Please fill out the free case evaluation form on this page. Our legal team will promptly respond to your request.
