Depo Provera Lawsuit
Recent lawsuits allege Pfizer's injectable birth control medication Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) can cause brain tumors called meningiomas. Women across the country are now seeking justice for injuries they say were caused by the widely used birth control shot.
The attorneys at Wisner Baum believe thousands of lawsuits will be filed alleging Depo Provera causes brain tumors. While there may be a class action lawsuit, our firm focuses on personal injury cases on behalf of women who would never have consented to receive the controversial Depo shot if they had been warned about the known dangerous side effects.
KEY POINTS ABOUT DEPO PROVERA BRAIN TUMOR LAWSUITS
- A 2024 study that analyzed over 18,000 women who had surgery for intracranial meningioma found that prolonged use of Depo Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) resulted in a staggering 555% increased risk of developing brain tumors.
- The findings in the 2024 study are nothing new. Numerous studies published in the decades prior came to similar conclusions, which means the drug manufacturer defendants have known about the problem for many years but failed to warn people about the known dangers.
- The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom labels for Depo Provera now list meningioma under the “special warnings and precautions for use” section and advise EU patients to speak with their doctors before using the birth control shot if they have any history of meningioma. No such warning exists in the United States.
- The scientific findings led to multiple Depo Provera birth control lawsuits, which seek punitive damages against the drug manufacturer defendants.
- Women who developed a brain tumor after Depo Provera may be eligible to join the lawsuit and seek financial compensation, including extensive damages for physical and emotional pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more.
To see if you qualify for a Depo Provera lawsuit, fill out a confidential case evaluation form or call (855) 948-5098 today.
INFORMATION ON THE LAWSUITS AGAINST DEPO PROVERA
December 2, 2024: A new Depo shot lawsuit was filed in California this week. The lawsuit names Pfizer, Greenstone, Viatris and other companies as defendants. The plaintiff alleges synthetic progestin shots over nearly 20 years caused her to develop intracranial meningiomas that required brain surgery.
December 1, 2024: A motion was recently filed requesting the consolidation of 22 Depo Provera shot lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The motion seeks to consolidate cases in California under one judge in a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Why California? Eighteen of the 22 lawsuits are filed here, and the motion cites California’s innovator liability laws, which allow claimants to pursue lawsuits against the brand-name manufacturer (Pfizer, in the case of Depo Provera claims), even if claimants used a generic version.
November 4, 2024: One of the allegations in Depo Provera lawsuits is that Pfizer failed to adequately warn of the dangers associated with the birth control shot, specifically the link between Depo Provera and meningiomas.
Depo Provera manufacturer Pfizer recently implemented label modifications for the birth control injection in European markets, specifically addressing the risk of meningiomas in relation to long-term progestogen use. While this represents a step toward acknowledgment of serious health concerns, the new European warning language merely advises caution for patients with a history of meningioma and recommends discontinuation only after tumor diagnosis.
The stark contrast between European and U.S. labeling practices raises significant concerns about Pfizer's inconsistent approach to patient safety across different regions. Remember, Pfizer still has not updated the Depo Provera label to warn about the link between the shot and brain tumors.
The current European warning has been criticized as inadequate, particularly because it fails to emphasize the potential for tumor development in patients without prior history and overlooks the possibility of irreversible damage by the time of diagnosis. Legal experts anticipate that this discrepancy in warning labels between regions will likely strengthen plaintiffs' claims in Depo Provera brain tumor lawsuits.
As attorneys, we believe Pfizer must implement comprehensive, unambiguous warnings about meningioma risks across all markets where Depo Provera is sold. Anything less could be viewed as insufficient from a liability standpoint.
October 25, 2024: Questions arise about Pfizer's failure to include meningioma warnings on U.S. Depo Provera labels, despite warnings on European versions of the birth control shot. In April of this year, Pfizer acknowledged the problem and said it was “in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.” Half a year later, there still isn’t a warning for U.S. consumers regarding the link to brain tumors.
October 17, 2024: A new Depo Provera lawsuit filed in Hamilton County, Indiana, alleges severe injuries from long-term use of the birth control injection. The plaintiff developed a meningioma after using Depo Provera from 1995 to 2018, requiring brain surgery and 36 rounds of radiation when the tumor regrew.
September 25, 2024: Pfizer's significant control over generic manufacturers, including a 57% ownership stake in Viatris and direct oversight of Greenstone, may expose the company to litigation for failure to warn, even in cases involving generic versions.
April 27, 2024: In a statement addressing the BMJ study linking Deop Provera to brain tumors, Pfizer has acknowledged potential risks associated with long-term progestogen use and announced plans to update product labels.
March 30, 2024: A landmark British Medical Journal study concluded that Depo Provera birth control users may face more than 5 times higher risk of developing meningioma brain tumors compared to non-users. This research serves as a foundational piece of evidence for emerging litigation against the manufacturers, including Pfizer.
WHAT IS DEPO PROVERA?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Depo Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) in 1992 as a contraceptive. Millions of women use the Depo Provera birth control shot every three months to prevent pregnancy. It is estimated that roughly 20% of all American women used Depo Provera at some point in their lives.
In 2004, the FDA approved the DepoSubQ Provera 104 variant as a treatment for endometriosis.
While Depo Provera has been a popular contraceptive choice since its approval, emerging scientific evidence links the birth control shot to serious side effects. Most concerning is the drug's reported connection to meningiomas – brain tumors that form in the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Despite European health authorities requiring brain tumor warnings on Depo Provera labels, the U.S. labeling still lacks these critical safety warnings.
WHAT IS INTRACRANIAL MENINGIOMA?
An intracranial meningioma is a type of brain tumor that is usually not cancerous. The brain is covered by three protective layers called meninges (pronounced meh-NIN-jeez). A meningioma is a tumor that grows from these protective layers inside the skull (that is what "intracranial" means - inside the cranium, or skull).
If the brain were an orange, the meninges would be like the white pith layer under the peel. A meningioma is like a bump that grows from this layer and can press against the "orange" (e.g., the brain).
Most meningiomas:
- Grow slowly
- Do not spread to other parts of the body
- Can be removed by surgery if needed
- May not need immediate treatment and can just be watched
However, because they grow inside the skull where space is limited, meningiomas may cause problems by pressing on nearby brain tissue, leading to symptoms like headaches, vision changes, or seizures.
What Makes These Brain Tumors Dangerous?
While meningiomas may be diagnosed as "benign" tumors, their location in the brain can cause severe problems:
- They grow in the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord
- As tumors expand, they press against sensitive brain tissue
- 15-20% of these tumors can become aggressive and spread
- Even "benign" tumors can cause life-threatening complications
Common Symptoms of Meningiomas
Patients with these brain tumors may experience:
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- Muscle weakness
- Speech difficulties
- Personality changes
- Other neurological symptoms
- In severe cases, life-threatening complications
Why Treatment is Complex
Treating these brain tumors may require:
- Invasive brain surgery (craniotomy)
- Removal of part of the skull
- Possible radiation therapy
- Long recovery periods
- Risk of serious complications
Meningioma Recovery and Long-Term Effects
After treatment, patients may face:
- Anxiety and depression
- Need for long-term medication
- Seizure disorders requiring epilepsy treatment
- Ongoing neurological issues
- Extended rehabilitation periods
- Permanent lifestyle changes
DEPO PROVERA BRAIN TUMOR CONNECTION
In 2024, researchers published a study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), one of the premier scientific journals in the world, that analyzed 18,061 cases of women who underwent surgery for intracranial meningioma between 2009 and 2018. The study found that prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate “increased the risk of intracranial meningioma.”
Specifically, the study found that prolonged use of Depo-Provera resulted in a 555% increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma. Per the authors, “[t]he increased risk associated with the use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, a widely used contraceptive,” was an important finding because Depo-Provera is “often administered to vulnerable populations.”
Depo Provera had the highest risk of meningioma surgeries when compared to other progesterone contraceptive products studied. This means that Depo Provera is “more dangerous than other drugs and treatment options designed to prevent pregnancy due to the unreasonably increased risk of injury associated with intracranial meningioma, including but not limited to seizures, vision problems, and even death,” lawsuits allege.
HOW TO JOIN THE DEPO PROVERA LAWSUIT
You may be eligible to join the Depo Provera lawsuit if you used Depo Provera or an authorized generic version multiple times and were later diagnosed with a meningioma.
Claimants who used the birth control shot for a prolonged period are more likely to have a valid claim. If you are uncertain whether you are eligible to join the Depo Provera lawsuit, contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.
WHAT IS THE PAYOUT FOR DEPO PROVERA LAWSUITS?
This litigation is in the very early stages, which means we do not yet know what future settlements or verdicts will be. That said, we do believe these lawsuits could lead to significant compensation based on the claims for damages, which include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Loss of quality of life
- Other related damages
IS THERE A DEPO PROVERA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT?
While many people ask about a Depo Provera class action lawsuit, this litigation will likely be handled as a multi-district litigation (MDL) in both state and federal courts. Here's why this matters for your case:
Why No Depo Provera Class Action?
A class action lawsuit would:
- Combine all cases into one unified lawsuit
- Result in equal compensation for all plaintiffs
- Not account for different levels of injury
- Treat all cases the same regardless of circumstances
Since women affected by Depo Provera have experienced vastly different injuries, complications, and claims for damages, a Depo Provera class action would not fully and fairly compensate claimants.
How an MDL Better Serves Victims
Multi-District Litigation offers important advantages:
- Each case remains individual
- Damages are evaluated case-by-case
- Pretrial proceedings are efficiently consolidated
- Victims maintain control of their cases
- Settlement amounts reflect individual circumstances
- Cases can still go to trial if needed
State-Level MDL Options
An MDL does not have to be federal; cases may be consolidated at the state level in appropriate jurisdictions and operate parallel to federal proceedings. This gives claimants another potential venue to pursue justice and compensation.
Women affected by Depo Provera brain tumors have a better chance for fair compensation through MDL proceedings than through a class action lawsuit. The experienced trial attorneys at Wisner Baum have served on the plaintiff’s leadership in numerous MDL’s. We understand how to navigate these claims to fight for full and fair compensation.
UNDERSTANDING TIME LIMITS FOR FILING A DEPO PROVERA LAWSUIT
You may be concerned about missing the deadline to file a Depo Provera brain tumor lawsuit. However, two important legal principles protect patients' rights to seek justice:
The Discovery Rule
Each state recognizes the "discovery rule," which provides crucial protection for patients. This legal principle means the time limit for filing a lawsuit doesn't start until:
- You discover your injury (meningioma diagnosis)
- You learn about the connection between Depo Provera and brain tumors
Since the link between Depo Provera and meningiomas has only recently come to light through scientific studies, many patients couldn't reasonably have known about this connection earlier. This means the clock may have only started running recently for many potential cases.
Fraudulent Concealment
Additional legal protection comes from the doctrine of fraudulent concealment. This principle may apply because:
- Drug manufacturers allegedly concealed known risks of Depo Provera
- Companies failed to include proper warnings about brain tumor risks
- Important safety information was allegedly withheld from patients and doctors
When companies actively hide crucial safety information, the law can "pause" the typical time limits for filing lawsuits.
Why Time Limits May Not Bar Your Claim
If you recently discovered your meningioma might be connected to Depo Provera use, you have time to file a claim because:
- Scientific evidence linking the drug to brain tumors is relatively new
- The public and the medical community only recently recognized this connection
- Drug companies allegedly concealed these risks
- Many patients are just learning about this issue
If you are wondering about the statute of limitations for your lawsuit, contact us today. We offer free and confidential case evaluations.
WHY HIRE WISNER BAUM DEPO PROVERA LAWSUIT LAWYERS?
Wisner Baum is pursuing lawsuits for women diagnosed with a meningioma after taking Depo-Provera or an authorized generic version. Prizer needs to be held accountable for failing to warn about the known side effects associated with Depo Provera, including the risk of brain tumors.
Clients hire our seasoned trial attorneys because:
- We have represented thousands of clients in various class action lawsuits and mass tort claims, including litigation against Pfizer.
- We have secured billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including those harmed by dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.
- If we don’t win, you don’t pay. We make it simple to hire trial attorneys with a proven track record against Big Pharma that goes back decades.
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation or call (855) 948-5098.
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