How Depo-Provera Became the Centre of a Growing Mass Tort 

For decades, Depo-Provera was marketed as one of the most convenient birth control options available. One injection every three months could prevent pregnancy without the need for daily pills. 

But today, the injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer is facing a wave of lawsuits in the United States. Hundreds of women claim the drug may be linked to a rare brain tumor known as Intracranial Meningioma, and that they were never adequately warned about the potential risk. 

The Research That Raised Questions 

When Depo-Provera was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1992, it was considered a major breakthrough in reproductive healthcare. 

However, recent research has drawn attention to a potential safety concern. 

Studies referenced in 2024 found that women who used the drug for longer than one year had a significantly higher risk of developing meningioma, a tumor that forms in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. 

Most meningiomas are non-cancerous, but they can still cause serious symptoms such as: 

• Severe headaches 

• Vision problems 

• Seizures 

• Neurological complications 

Depending on the tumor’s size and location, treatment may involve surgery or long-term monitoring. 

Lawsuits Begin to Grow 

As more patients began reporting diagnoses, lawsuits started to appear across multiple U.S. states. 

Plaintiffs claim that Pfizer failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the potential connection between long-term use of Depo-Provera and brain tumors. 

Because similar claims were being filed in different federal courts, the cases were consolidated into Depo-Provera MDL 3140. The litigation is currently being managed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. 

A Key Regulatory Development 

In December 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated the label for Depo-Provera to include warnings about a possible association with meningioma. 

For many plaintiffs, this update is a critical part of the case. They argue that stronger warnings should have been provided earlier. 

Pfizer, however, maintains that it complied with all regulatory requirements. 

This has introduced an important legal issue known as federal pre-emption – whether a drug manufacturer can be held liable under state law if the medication already met federal regulatory standards. 

Where the Litigation Stands Today 

The litigation has grown quickly. 

By early 2026, 2098 lawsuits had been filed in the federal MDL alone, with additional cases continuing to appear in state courts. 

The court appointed Christopher A. Seeger as lead counsel for the plaintiffs. The next major step will be bellwether trials – early test cases that help both sides gauge how juries may respond and often influence potential settlements. 

What’s Coming Next 

The litigation is still unfolding, with thousands of lawsuits moving through pretrial procedures like discovery and expert reports. The first bellwether trial is scheduled for December 7, 2026, which will set the stage for how the cases may proceed and potentially influence future settlements. 

Here’s how Draft n Craft can support law firms handling the complex Depo-Provera litigation: 

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