A growing number of lawsuits are being pursued by women who received birth control shots, including Depo-Provera, and developed brain tumors. The cases, currently centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, claim that Pfizer knew or should have known about the risks but failed to adequately warn patients.
Depo-Provera has been used as a quarterly injection for over 30 years, with tens of millions of women receiving it. Recent studies linked the drug to an increased risk of intracranial meningiomas, which may cause up to five times the risk of developing these brain tumors in women who received the injections.
The lawsuits focus on two key issues: federal preemption and general causation. If the court finds that federal law overrides the plaintiffs’ claims, many cases could be dismissed before reaching trial. However, if the lawsuits move forward, attention will turn to the scientific evidence linking Depo-Provera and meningioma brain tumors.
As of July 14, at least 550 lawsuits have been filed by women throughout the U.S. The court has ordered parties to prepare five “pilot” cases for initial test trials, which are expected to shape potential settlement negotiations or guide the path forward if the litigation proceeds.
The first bellwether cases may not go before juries until late 2026 or early 2027. To stay up-to-date on this litigation, sign up to receive Depo-Provera lawsuit updates sent directly to your inbox.
Source: https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/depo-provera-lawsuit/550-depo-provera-lawsuits-meningioma-brain-tumors