Depo-Provera Lawsuits in Lexington
The FDA added a meningioma brain tumor warning to Depo-Provera in December 2025. If you developed a brain tumor after using the birth control shot, you may have a claim against Pfizer. 859-888-8000.
Women who used Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) for a year or more and were later diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor may qualify for a product liability lawsuit against manufacturer Pfizer. In December 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new warning on Depo-Provera’s label linking long-term use to meningioma — tumors that form in the lining of the brain or spinal cord. More than 1,700 cases have been consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Florida. Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers is taking cases from Lexington women who developed these tumors after using the Depo shot.
What Is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is an injectable birth control shot containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It is given as an injection every three months and has been widely prescribed for contraception and for managing conditions like endometriosis. According to the CDC, approximately one in four sexually active women in the United States has used Depo-Provera, with Black women using it at nearly double the national average.
The drug was manufactured and sold in the U.S. by Pfizer under the brand names Depo-Provera CI (150mg intramuscular) and Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (104mg subcutaneous).
The Meningioma Link: What the Science Shows
Meningiomas are tumors that form in the meninges — the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While most are considered non-cancerous, they can grow to compress brain tissue and cause serious, sometimes irreversible neurological damage.
(2024 BMJ study)
(Northern District of Florida)
(FDA approval)
(CDC estimate)
A landmark 2024 study published in The BMJ examined over 18,000 women who had surgery for intracranial meningiomas and found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than one year were approximately five times more likely to develop a surgically treated meningioma compared to non-users. A separate 2025 study found women using Depo-Provera for over a year were 3.5 times more likely to develop meningiomas compared to those using oral contraceptives.
Meningioma cells have been found to carry a higher density of progesterone receptors than estrogen receptors — providing a biological explanation for why synthetic progesterone (the active ingredient in Depo-Provera) may accelerate tumor growth. Research on this connection dates back to the 1980s.
The FDA Warning and the Litigation
On December 17, 2025, the FDA approved updated labeling for both Depo-Provera CI and Depo-SubQ Provera 104, adding a warning that meningiomas have been reported following repeated administration, primarily with long-term use. This came after years of Pfizer arguing the existing science didn’t justify a U.S. label change — despite Canada and the European Union already adding meningioma warnings years earlier.
The lawsuits allege that Pfizer knew or should have known about this risk for decades and failed to warn patients and doctors. The cases have been consolidated in the Northern District of Florida before Judge Casey M. Rodgers. Pfizer has argued federal preemption — that because the FDA previously rejected a label update, state failure-to-warn claims should be dismissed. That defense was significantly weakened when the FDA approved the new warning in December 2025.
Meningioma Symptoms to Watch For
Because meningiomas grow slowly, symptoms may not appear for years after the tumor begins. Signs that may indicate a meningioma include:
- Persistent headaches that worsen over time
- Vision changes, blurred vision, or double vision
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Seizures — especially new-onset seizures in an adult
- Memory problems or cognitive changes
- Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
- Vertigo or balance problems
If you used Depo-Provera and are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about brain imaging.
Who May Qualify for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?
To pursue a claim, you generally need to meet these criteria:
- You received at least two injections of Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104, or an authorized generic version
- You were diagnosed with a meningioma — a tumor in the lining of the brain or spinal cord — confirmed by imaging
- Your meningioma was diagnosed after you started using the drug
- Ideally, your meningioma required treatment — surgery, radiation, or ongoing monitoring with neurological symptoms
The strength of individual cases varies based on how long you used the drug, your tumor’s location and grade, the treatment required, and the impact on your quality of life.
What Compensation May Be Available
Depo-Provera lawsuits seek compensation for the full impact of a meningioma diagnosis, including:
- Past and future medical expenses — neurosurgery, radiation, hospitalization, follow-up care, medications
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Permanent neurological impairment or disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages — where Pfizer’s failure to warn was particularly egregious
Documents to Start Gathering Now
- Pharmacy records or prescription fills showing Depo-Provera use and dates
- MRI or CT scan imaging reports confirming the meningioma diagnosis
- Neurosurgery, oncology, or neurology treatment records
- Records of any surgeries or radiation treatment
- Insurance explanation of benefits (EOB) records
- Documentation of lost wages or disability
Our team can identify and organize these records — call us at 859-888-8000.
How the MDL Process Works
A multidistrict litigation (MDL) consolidates cases with common facts before one judge for coordinated pretrial proceedings — depositions, discovery, and legal rulings. Individual cases retain their identity; the MDL just makes handling thousands of similar claims more efficient.
Once the court resolves key pretrial issues — including Pfizer’s preemption defense and Daubert hearings on the scientific evidence linking Depo-Provera to meningiomas — a small number of “bellwether” trial cases will be tried. The outcomes of those trials typically drive settlement negotiations for the remaining cases.
Kentucky’s statute of limitations applies to cases filed by Kentucky residents. Do not wait to explore your options — deadlines vary based on when you were diagnosed and when you could reasonably have connected your diagnosis to Depo-Provera use. See our page on Kentucky statute of limitations for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the December 2025 FDA warning mean Pfizer is liable?
The FDA warning is strong evidence that the meningioma risk is real and serious. However, establishing Pfizer’s legal liability requires proving that the company knew (or should have known) about the risk earlier, failed to warn patients and doctors adequately, and that this failure caused your specific injury. The 2025 label update significantly weakened Pfizer’s key defense argument — that federal law preempted state failure-to-warn claims because the FDA had previously rejected a warning.
What if I only used Depo-Provera once or twice?
Most attorneys and courts are focusing on cases involving at least two injections and a confirmed meningioma diagnosis. Short-term use creates a weaker causal connection. The BMJ study found the elevated risk was most pronounced with prolonged use (one year or more). If you received fewer injections and developed a meningioma, contact us and we’ll evaluate your specific facts.
How long does a Depo-Provera lawsuit take?
MDL mass tort cases typically take several years to resolve. The bellwether trial schedule in the Northern District of Florida was still being established as of early 2026. Cases that settle out of the MDL can sometimes resolve faster. Filing sooner preserves your rights and puts you in the best position for any early settlement opportunities.
How much does it cost to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit?
Nothing upfront. Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers handles these cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless and until we recover compensation for you. Our Bigger Share Guarantee® means you always take home more than the firm. No increased litigation fees fee that never increases, $0 Out-Of-Pocket Forever.
Is there a statute of limitations on Depo-Provera claims in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky’s personal injury statute of limitations applies, but the “discovery rule” may toll the deadline — meaning the clock runs from when you knew or reasonably should have known your meningioma was linked to Depo-Provera use, not necessarily from your diagnosis date. Given the evolving science and the December 2025 FDA warning, the timing of your awareness matters. Contact us promptly — deadlines can cut off valid claims permanently.
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