What's happening With Depo Provera Lawsuits in Ohio?
Suffering from brain tumors after using Depo-Provera? You're not alone.
Suffering from brain tumors after using Depo-Provera? You're not alone.
Diagnosed With a Brain Tumor After Depo-Provera?
Find out if you qualify for a birth control shot lawsuit
Depo-Provera is a widely used birth control shot often chosen for its convenience and long-acting protection. But growing evidence suggests that long-term use of Depo-Provera and similar medroxyprogesterone injections may be linked to serious brain tumors, including intracranial meningiomas.
Across the country, people are filing Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits against Pfizer and related drug manufacturers, alleging that patients were not adequately warned about the risk of these life-altering complications.
On this page, you’ll learn:
- Who may qualify for a Depo-Provera birth control shot lawsuit
- What current research says about Depo-Provera and brain tumors
- How Depo-Provera lawsuits and multidistrict litigation (MDL) are progressing
- What to expect if you move forward with filing a claim
Signs and impacts of meningioma and other brain tumors
Meningiomas are tumors that develop in the meninges, which are the protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. Although many meningiomas are technically “benign,” they can still cause serious, life-changing symptoms as they grow and press against nearby brain structures.
Common signs and symptoms
People affected by meningiomas or similar brain tumors often experience:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Balance problems, dizziness, or unsteadiness
- Cognitive or memory difficulties
- Speech problems or word-finding issues
- Numbness or weakness in parts of the face or body
- Seizures or new-onset neurological episodes
- Fatigue and personality changes
Many people assume a brain tumor would cause sudden, dramatic symptoms. But because meningiomas can develop over years, individuals may notice symptoms that come and go or are mistaken for migraines, stress, or aging. This slow progression is one reason meningiomas linked to long-term Depo-Provera use are sometimes identified years after the last injection.
How these tumors impact daily life
Depending on the severity, meningiomas can require:
- Brain surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible
- Radiation therapy (when full removal is not possible or if the tumor returns)
- Lifelong neurological monitoring
- Rehabilitation therapy for ongoing vision, speech, or cognitive challenges
Even after treatment, some people experience lasting effects such as chronic headaches, sensory loss, cognitive changes, or emotional difficulties.
We understand that dealing with unexpected health complications after using medication approved by the FDA can be overwhelming and confusing. You need a legal team you can trust, one with the experience and compassion to guide you through this difficult time.
At Slater & Zurz, we have a long history of successfully representing clients in complex cases just like yours. Our award-winning attorneys in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Columbus have the knowledge, resources, and unwavering commitment to fight for your rights and help you get the justice you deserve.
How Depo-Provera may be linked to brain tumors
Depo-Provera and its related injections contain medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. Although the exact mechanism is still being studied, several clinical and epidemiological findings help explain the possible connection between this medication and the risk of developing hormone-sensitive tumors.
Evidence from recent studies
A significant turning point occurred in March 2024, when a landmark study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than a year had a 5.6-fold increased risk of developing an intracranial meningioma compared to non-users.
Meanwhile, between November 2000 and June 2024, the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) recorded 46 cases of meningioma where Depo-Provera’s active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone, was suspected to play a role. The cases included seven benign, one malignant, and 38 unspecified meningiomas, alongside reports of other brain and central nervous system tumors. While FAERS does not prove causation, it reinforces growing concerns about the potential long-term effects of hormonal exposure.
Pfizer’s response
In response to the BMJ study and mounting pressure, Pfizer has acknowledged the risks associated with long-term use. The company is working with regulatory agencies to update product labels and patient information to provide clearer warnings about potential side effects.
Current Depo-Provera lawsuits and what they mean for your case
Hundreds of people across the United States are now pursuing legal action after developing meningiomas and other brain tumors following long-term use of Depo-Provera birth control shots.
Because so many similar claims have been filed, Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits have been grouped into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). An MDL allows one judge to oversee the early stages of the cases, including:
- Coordinating discovery
- Evaluating expert scientific testimony
- Selecting a small group of “bellwether” cases that may go to trial
MDLs help ensure that complex, nationwide allegations are handled efficiently and consistently.
What the lawsuits are alleging
While each case is unique, most lawsuits involve similar claims:
- Failure to warn: Plaintiffs argue that Pfizer and other manufacturers did not adequately warn users about the risk of developing meningiomas after long-term use.
- Hormonal sensitivity: Many plaintiffs’ tumors have progesterone receptors, suggesting that prolonged progestin exposure may accelerate tumor growth.
- Rising safety signals: Research published in recent years has found a significantly increased risk of intracranial meningioma among long-term Depo-Provera users.
- International discrepancy: Some countries updated warning labels sooner, raising questions about whether U.S. warnings should have been strengthened earlier.
The momentum of these cases represents a powerful movement to ensure that women’s voices are heard and that drug companies are held responsible for the safety of their products. Now is the time to add your voice and explore your legal options — contact us at 866-948-6426 or fill out this form.
What compensation might cover in a Depo-Provera brain tumor case
Compensation in a Depo-Provera lawsuit depends on the severity of the brain tumor, the treatment required, and the long-term effects on your health and daily life. While every case is evaluated individually, you may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Wrongful death damages: If a loved one passed away due to a meningioma or treatment complications, families may pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills before death, and emotional and financial impact on surviving family members.
- Medical treatment and ongoing care: Brain tumor treatment can be extensive and expensive. Compensation may help cover surgery, radiation therapy, hospital stays, emergency care, neurology and oncology appointments, rehabilitation therapy, and follow-up imaging needed for long-term monitoring.
- Lost income and reduced earning ability: A brain tumor can interfere with work for months or even permanently. Damages may include lost wages during treatment and recovery, reduced earning capacity if symptoms limit employment, and loss of future income in cases of long-term impairment or disability.
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress: You may also be able to recover damages for pain from the tumor or surgery, or loss of enjoyment of life due to neurological challenges.
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