Depo Provera Lawsuit: Do I Qualify for Compensation? (2025)

Side Effects That Could Support a Depo Provera Lawsuit

Depo-Provera has known risks, such as headaches, anxiety and depression. It can also cause a loss in bone density. However, a recent study points to a more serious and potentially life-threatening side effect. Women who take Depo-Provera appear to have an increased risk of developing non-cancerous brain tumors.

Specifically, a study conducted in France found that women exposed to progestogens contained in Depo-Provera had an increased risk of developing a meningioma. These tumors do not grow on the brain. Instead, they develop in the meninges, producing the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Blurry vision
• Hearing loss
• Seizures
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Poor coordination
• Slurred or impaired speech
• Amnesia

Most meningiomas are benign. This means they grow slowly and do not spread to other body systems. As a result, doctors have several treatment options, including surgery and radiation therapy. They may also choose not to treat the tumor if its effects are minor.

However, a small percentage of meningioma cases are cancerous. The resulting brain tumors grow aggressively. However, the number of malignant meningiomas is low compared to how many people die from cancer each year.

Also, both benign and malignant meningioma can cause life-threatening symptoms if they press on major nerves or brain regions. The impairments and disabilities from meningioma can significantly reduce your quality of life. For example, you may need to change jobs and alter your activities when you suffer from a meningioma that causes seizures.

Depo Provera can also cause other side effects including reduced bone density, anxiety and depression. Unlike meningioma, Pfizer warns patients and doctors of these risks. No studies have revealed any connection to long-term or permanent infertility. Women typically recover their fertility within a few months after ending their treatments.

Depo-Provera Long-Term Side Effects

Depo-Provera puts you at risk of suffering from a number of health issues. It can lead to the development of osteoporosis, causing your bones to become thinner and more prone to breaking. The medication also appears to trigger mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.

Long-term side effects also include a heightened risk of developing brain or breast cancer. This is a particular danger for younger women. Additionally, you’re more likely to suffer from blood clots if you use Depo-Provera.

Types of Depo Provera Lawsuits

You will not find Depo Provera numbers in medical malpractice statistics. Doctors are generally not responsible for injuries that result from side effects the manufacturer fails to warn of. Instead, these usually result in product liability cases against the manufacturer.

Patients have not filed any class action lawsuits for injury or death caused by Depo Provera. Class action lawsuits occur when many people suffer similar injuries and have similar legal claims. The class action process allows each class action lawyer to share the burdens of recovering evidence and fighting motions.

The downside is that the entire class shares the damage award or settlement, resulting in smaller damage awards. Moreover, since the class is treated together, a jury will not hear the unique facts for any class member except the class representative.

Another litigation procedure for handling widespread injuries from defective drugs is called multidistrict litigation (MDL). Federal court cases filed in multiple geographic regions get consolidated into one federal court to be overseen by one district court judge.

An MDL case allows the victims to share discovery and cooperate on motions. However, the cases retain their separate characters and get tried separately.

Eligibility Criteria for Filing a Depo-Provera Lawsuit

To file a Depo-Provera lawsuit, you must have suffered injuries, such as a brain tumor, severe physical complications, or osteoporosis from its use. You only need to have used it twice to be eligible.

Other considerations will be how long ago you used the drug, the diagnosis you received, and other factors that can prove or disprove the proximate cause.

Statute of Limitations for Depo-Provera Lawsuits

Product liability claims all carry statutes of limitations, though the exact time you have can vary from state to state. Typically, the ticking clock will begin the moment that you discover the injuries you sustained since they take time to appear.

Because missing the statute of limitations results in being barred from recovering damages, it’s vital to get help from a product liability attorney as quickly as possible. They will be able to guide you through the process of filing a claim.

Depo Provera Settlement Amounts

It is very early to talk about a Depo Provera settlement. However, if cases ultimately prove liability for meningiomas, drug manufacturers may be liable for economic and non-economic losses suffered by victims.

Economic losses include past and future medical expenses, lost income and diminished future earnings. These losses may be significant because of the cost of brain surgery and the lengthy recovery time required.

Non-economic losses cover the ways the meningioma reduces the victim’s quality of life. These losses may include the pain, mental suffering and disabilities caused by a meningioma. Again, a victim could suffer significant non-economic losses because of how a brain tumor can alter their quality of life.

To avoid paying a huge damage award to each victim, drug manufacturers facing an MDL will often offer a global settlement. This settlement usually includes a large fund that pays victims preset amounts based on factors such as age, disease and prognosis. More seriously injured patients will be eligible to receive larger payouts. A similar way was used in the Zantac lawsuit settlements, where affected claimants got different compensation based on their health conditions and prognosis. These types of settlements help ensure that victims receive compensation in proportion to the severity of their injuries.

How to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Before doing anything else, reach out to a lawyer who can help you understand whether you’re eligible to file a claim. They will also assist you in gathering evidence to demonstrate that you took Depo-Provera and have received a diagnosis of a related health issue.

Using all of this information, your lawyer will prepare and file the claim. The process will typically involve negotiating with insurance companies, which you should always allow your lawyer to handle.

Contact ConsumerShield for Assistance

If you believe your use of Depo-Provera has caused a benign or malignant meningioma, you should speak to an attorney about your options. ConsumerShield provides lawyer referrals to people who need legal advice and representation. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.