⚡ Quick Answer
What is the Depo-Provera lawsuit? Women who received long-term Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injections are suing Pfizer, alleging the birth control shot caused intracranial meningioma brain tumors — and that Pfizer concealed the risk for decades. A 2024 French study found users face up to 5x the meningioma risk. Over 5,500 lawsuits are now pending in a federal MDL in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. The FDA updated Depo-Provera's warning label in December 2025 to include meningioma language. As of June 2026, a global settlement with Pfizer has been announced — eligibility criteria and financial terms are still being finalized.
Who Qualifies for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Eligibility focuses on women diagnosed with intracranial meningioma or another brain tumor after long-term Depo-Provera use. Surviving family members may also file wrongful death claims where Depo-Provera use allegedly contributed to a fatal outcome.
Qualifying Criteria:
How Pfizer Allegedly Caused Harm
Lawsuits allege that Pfizer and related manufacturers knew — or should have known — about Depo-Provera's link to meningioma brain tumors for years, yet failed to disclose the risk to U.S. patients and physicians. Four core patterns of alleged misconduct appear across active cases:
1. Failure to Warn U.S. Patients About Meningioma Risk
Scientific studies — including a landmark 2024 French study published in the BMJ — linked synthetic progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate to significantly elevated meningioma risk. European regulators updated Depo-Provera warning labels years before the U.S. FDA acted in December 2025. Lawsuits allege Pfizer had access to this evidence and chose not to warn American women and their doctors.
2. Withholding Evidence from the FDA
Plaintiffs allege Pfizer concealed meningioma risk data from regulators, misled the FDA, and used a 2024 FDA rejection of a proposed label change as a preemption shield — while having withheld the very evidence that would have prompted a different regulatory outcome.
3. Ignoring Safer Low-Dose Alternatives
Active litigation raises questions about Pfizer's 150 mg formulation and whether safer lower-dose options were available and ignored. Plaintiffs argue the company could have reformulated or restricted dosing to reduce meningioma risk — but chose not to.
4. Promoting Long-Term Use Without Adequate Risk Disclosure
Depo-Provera's convenience as a quarterly injection made it popular for long-term contraceptive use — exactly the duration associated with the highest meningioma risk. Plaintiffs allege Pfizer promoted long-term use while suppressing evidence of cumulative risk.
Brain Tumor Risks & Side Effects Recognized in Active Claims
The strongest cases involve serious, documented meningioma diagnoses directly tied to long-term Depo-Provera use. Courts consider both economic and non-economic damages when evaluating claims.
Settlement Outlook & Value Factors
A tentative global settlement was announced June 15, 2026 — but financial terms and eligibility criteria have not yet been publicly released. When individual claims are evaluated under the settlement, compensation will depend on several key factors:
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Severity of injury — tumor size and location, number of surgeries, radiation treatment, and degree of permanent neurological damage
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Duration of Depo-Provera use — longer exposure, especially 4+ years or use beginning after age 31, is associated with higher risk and may strengthen claim value
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Documentation strength — prescription records, pharmacy logs, injection clinic records, imaging, pathology, and operative reports are essential
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Long-term outcomes — ongoing neurological deficits, cognitive impairment, vision loss, or inability to work significantly increase claim value
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Settlement eligibility — only plaintiffs who meet criteria agreed to by both parties will be able to participate; cases outside the settlement may proceed to trial
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Wrongful death — claims involving fatal hemorrhage or death linked to Depo-Provera-related meningioma typically carry the highest potential values
A tentative global settlement between Pfizer and plaintiffs' lead counsel was confirmed by Judge M. Casey Rodgers on June 15, 2026. The first bellwether trial (Toney v. Pfizer) has been vacated. The Daubert general causation hearing has been moved to July 27, 2026 in Pensacola, Florida — it will still proceed because the settlement will not resolve all cases. Pfizer's preemption summary judgment motion remains under advisement. No financial terms or eligibility criteria have been made public. If finalized, this would be an unusually swift resolution — over 5,500 cases filed in under two years.
Disclaimer: Settlement terms have not been publicly disclosed. The above factors are based on litigation patterns in comparable mass tort cases and are educational only — not a guarantee of any outcome. Actual results depend on case-specific facts and the final terms of any settlement agreement.
Deadlines to File (Statutes of Limitations)
Each state has strict statutes of limitations for product liability and personal injury claims — typically 2 to 3 years. For Depo-Provera cases, latent injury rules may extend the deadline since meningiomas can develop years after use. With a global settlement now announced and eligibility criteria still being finalized, acting immediately is critical.
| State | Standard SOL | Latent Injury Rules | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 years | Discovery rule may apply | MDL is in N.D. Florida; many cases filed here. SOL recently shortened — consult an attorney immediately |
| California | 2 years | Discovery rule applies | Active state court filings; California leads state filing volume alongside New York |
| New York | 3 years | Discovery rule may apply | 61+ active state court filings as of mid-2025; one of the most active state venues |
| Texas | 2 years | Discovery rule applies | Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of death |
| Illinois | 2 years | Discovery rule may apply | Active state court filings; some cases filed in Delaware and Pennsylvania as well |
| All Other States | Typically 2–3 years | Varies | Latent injury discovery rules and revival statutes may extend deadlines. Do not assume it is too late — consult an attorney immediately to confirm your deadline. |
Latent injury exceptions and discovery rules can significantly extend filing windows — the clock often starts when a woman knew or should have known her tumor was linked to Depo-Provera, not when injections began. Do not assume it is too late without speaking to an attorney.
Depo-Provera Lawsuit Updates — 2026
Last updated June 16, 2026. We update this section regularly with new MDL developments, rulings, and settlement news.
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June 15, 2026 🔴 Breaking — SettlementGlobal Settlement Announced — Pfizer Agrees to Resolve Thousands of Meningioma Lawsuits: In a landmark development, Judge M. Casey Rodgers confirmed in a court order that Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia LLC, and Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC have reached a tentative global agreement with plaintiffs' lead counsel to settle Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits. Financial terms have not been publicly disclosed, and specific eligibility criteria are still being finalized. Critically, the settlement will not resolve all cases in the MDL — only plaintiffs who meet agreed-upon eligibility requirements will have the opportunity to participate. In response to the agreement, the court vacated all trial and pretrial deadlines in Toney v. Pfizer Inc. — the lead case that had been headed toward a December 2026 bellwether trial. The Daubert general causation hearing previously set for June 24–25 has been rescheduled to July 27, 2026 in Pensacola, Florida, because the causation ruling will still be needed for cases outside the settlement's scope. Pfizer's federal preemption summary judgment motion remains pending. If finalized, this would represent an unusually swift resolution — over 5,500 lawsuits were filed in under two years. Contact an attorney immediately — time limits to enroll may apply.
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May 2026 🔴 NewMDL Surpasses 6,000 Cases — One of the Fastest-Growing Mass Torts in Federal History: Depo-Provera lawsuit filings exceed 6,000 pending cases — up from 78 in early 2025, representing a 3,873% increase in roughly 15 months. Attorneys across the country are filing on behalf of women diagnosed with meningioma after long-term use, accelerating rapidly following the December 2025 FDA label update and mounting scientific evidence.
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April 7, 2026Daubert Hearing Rescheduled to June 24–25: Judge Rodgers moves the general causation Daubert hearing — designed to determine whether plaintiff experts can testify that Depo-Provera causes meningioma — from May 26–28 to June 24–25, 2026. The hearing is subsequently pushed again to July 27 following the settlement announcement.
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April 1, 2026MDL Grows to 3,490 Cases; Settlement Speculation Increases: Active case count reaches 3,490 in the MDL, with 500+ additional cases in state courts. Legal observers note the combination of a massive defendant, rapidly accelerating filings, and a December 2025 label change acknowledging the core risk creates significant pressure for pre-trial resolution. Expert depositions are completed and Daubert briefing is underway.
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February 2026MDL Jumps 47% in One Month — Passes 3,000 Cases: The docket grows by 1,001 cases in February alone — a 47.7% single-month increase — pushing the MDL past 3,000 active cases. General causation expert depositions are completed between February 28 and March 20. Judge Rodgers sets monthly case management conferences through December 2026.
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January 23, 2026Special Master Appointed; Bellwether Cases Selected: Judge Rodgers appoints the Honorable David Herndon as Special Master to assist with MDL management, and selects five pilot cases for early bellwether trials. The first — Blonski v. Pfizer — had been set for December 7, 2026. Monthly case management conferences begin in Pensacola, Florida.
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December 18, 2025FDA Updates Depo-Provera Warning Label to Include Meningioma Risk: The FDA approves updated label language alerting patients and providers to reported cases of meningioma following repeated, long-term Depo-Provera use. The revised label instructs clinicians to monitor for symptoms and discontinue the drug if a meningioma is diagnosed. The change was requested by Pfizer and is expected to inform settlement eligibility discussions.
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December 9, 2025245 New Cases Filed in November — MDL Reaches 1,470: A surge of new filings pushes the MDL to 1,470 pending cases as attorneys nationwide respond to the FDA label update and growing public awareness of meningioma risk.
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September 30, 2025Key Preemption Hearing — Plaintiffs Leave Optimistic: Judge Rodgers holds a pivotal hearing on Pfizer's motion for summary judgment based on federal preemption — arguing that FDA's 2024 rejection of a proposed label change bars plaintiffs' failure-to-warn claims. Plaintiffs counter that Pfizer withheld evidence from the FDA and could have strengthened warnings unilaterally. Both sides face tough questions, but plaintiffs leave cautiously optimistic.
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September 3, 2025Cleveland Clinic JAMA Neurology Study Confirms 2.43x Elevated Meningioma Risk: A Cleveland Clinic study published in JAMA Neurology finds women who used Depo-Provera for more than four years — or who began use after age 31 — faced a 2.43x higher risk of intracranial meningioma. The study follows a landmark 2024 French BMJ study finding up to 5x elevated risk, and is cited in hundreds of subsequent filings.
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August 2025MDL Grows to 550; State Court Filings Expand Nationwide: The federal MDL reaches 550 pending cases while state court filings accelerate in California (11 active), New York (61 active), Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Mexico, and Delaware. 100 plaintiffs file in Delaware state court alone. Judge Rodgers warns plaintiff firms against "warehousing" unfiled cases, threatening leadership roles.
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June 2, 2025MDL Established; Early Filings Accelerate: The Depo-Provera brain tumor MDL reaches 348 pending cases — up 20% in a single month — in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Wrongful death claims are among the early filings, including a case where autopsy linked a fatal hemorrhage to a Depo-Provera-related meningioma.
Find Out If You Qualify — Free Case Review
Attorneys are reviewing Depo-Provera meningioma cases nationwide. A global settlement has been announced — eligibility criteria are still being finalized. You pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
Start My Free Case ReviewHow the Depo-Provera Lawsuit Process Works
Attorneys accept Depo-Provera cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
- Free confidential consultation — Share your Depo-Provera injection history and brain tumor diagnosis with an attorney at no cost. No records are required before reaching out.
- Case review and evidence gathering — Your attorney reviews prescription records, injection logs, imaging, pathology, operative reports, and all evidence of harm. Your attorney can assist in obtaining records you don't yet have.
- Confirming Depo-Provera use — Your attorney verifies the duration, dosage, and timing of Depo-Provera injections relative to your meningioma diagnosis, since longer use is associated with stronger claims.
- Evaluating settlement eligibility — Given the June 15, 2026 global settlement announcement, your attorney will assess whether your claim meets the eligibility criteria being finalized by the parties, and whether you are better served by the settlement or an independent filing.
- Filing the lawsuit — If applicable, your attorney files suit in the MDL (N.D. Florida) or in state court. Cases are typically brought under product liability (failure to warn, defective design) and negligence theories.
- Discovery — Both sides exchange evidence: Pfizer's internal documents, label history, communications about known meningioma risk, foreign label changes, and clinical trial data.
- Expert testimony — Neurologists, oncologists, and pharmacologists testify about Depo-Provera's link to meningioma and the adequacy of Pfizer's warnings.
- Settlement or trial — Claims may resolve through the global settlement (if eligible) or proceed to trial. The Daubert causation hearing is set for July 27, 2026, with trials to follow for cases outside the settlement's scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Depo-Provera lawsuit about?
Women who received long-term Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injections are suing Pfizer and related manufacturers, alleging the birth control shot caused intracranial meningioma brain tumors and that defendants knew about — and concealed — the risk for years.
A 2024 French BMJ study found users face up to 5x the meningioma risk. Over 5,500 lawsuits have been filed. A global settlement was announced June 15, 2026; financial terms and eligibility criteria are still being finalized.
Has a Depo-Provera settlement been reached?
Yes. On June 15, 2026, Judge M. Casey Rodgers confirmed that Pfizer and co-defendants reached a tentative global settlement agreement with plaintiffs' lead counsel in the MDL. The first bellwether trial has been vacated and a key Daubert hearing rescheduled to July 27.
Financial terms and eligibility requirements have not been publicly disclosed. Not every pending case will qualify — only plaintiffs meeting specific criteria agreed to by both parties will be able to participate. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.
Who qualifies for a Depo-Provera lawsuit?
Women diagnosed with intracranial meningioma or another brain tumor after long-term Depo-Provera injections may qualify. Key factors include documented Depo-Provera use, a confirmed brain tumor diagnosis (imaging, pathology, surgical reports), and resulting injury such as surgery, neurological deficits, or wrongful death.
Settlement eligibility criteria have not yet been made public. Speak to an attorney to determine whether your claim qualifies for the settlement or should be filed independently.
What brain injuries are linked to Depo-Provera?
The primary injury is intracranial meningioma — a tumor in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While often non-cancerous, meningiomas can cause severe harm when they press on the brain and nerves, including headaches, vision loss, seizures, cognitive impairment, and the need for invasive surgery. Lawsuits also allege wrongful death where tumors caused fatal hemorrhage.
How much is a Depo-Provera lawsuit worth?
No financial terms for the settlement have been publicly disclosed. Individual claim values will depend on injury severity, duration of Depo-Provera use, neurological deficits, documentation strength, and whether the claim involves wrongful death.
Settlement ranges are educational only and not a guarantee of outcome. Actual results depend on case-specific facts and the final terms of any agreement.
Has the FDA warned about Depo-Provera and brain tumors?
Yes. In December 2025, the FDA updated the Depo-Provera warning label to include information about meningioma cases reported following repeated, long-term use. The label instructs clinicians to monitor for symptoms and discontinue the drug if a meningioma is diagnosed. No recall has been issued. Plaintiffs argue the label change came years too late.
How long do I have to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit?
Deadlines vary by state, typically 2 to 3 years. Latent injury discovery rules may extend the clock — it often begins when a woman knew or should have known her tumor was linked to Depo-Provera, not when injections began.
With a global settlement now announced and eligibility criteria still being finalized, acting immediately is critical. Missing a deadline or the settlement enrollment window may permanently bar your claim. Speak to an attorney right away.
