The Depo shot lawsuit is real and legitimate, with litigation currently ongoing in the U.S. Multiple lawsuits allege Depo-Provera® (medroxyprogesterone acetate) caused meningioma brain tumors — and manufacturers failed to warn users of this risk.
In October 2024, the first Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit was filed by a woman in California who received injections from 2005 to 2021. After developing debilitating headaches and dizziness, she underwent surgery in 2022 to remove a brain tumor.
As of July 2025, over 550 Depo-Provera claims for meningiomas have been filed, with many being consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). Since millions of women have used Depo-Provera, additional claims are expected to follow.
These lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer Inc., the manufacturer of the shot, as well as associated companies like Pfizer’s former Pharmacia & Upjohn unit.
Hundreds of women have already turned to Sokolove Law for help understanding their legal options and filing a Depo shot claim. Don’t miss your chance to take action — get started now with a free case review.
Why Are There Depo Shot Lawsuits Against Pfizer?
As the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, Pfizer is responsible for ensuring their product's safety before it reaches patients. It's natural for drugs to come with side effects, but patients have the legal right to be warned of these effects ahead of time, so they can make an informed decision.
Depo shot lawsuits filed against Pfizer claim the company allegedly:
- Knew about the increased risk of meningiomas
- Failed to adequately study or monitor the neurological effects of the shot
- Marketed the product as safe for long-term use despite emerging risks
- Added the risk to warning labels in Canada and Europe
- Neglected to add the risk on the warning labels in the U.S.
- Downplayed or omitted serious side effects in U.S. promotional materials
- Tried to pin the blame on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) instead
These lawsuits argue that Pfizer put patients at unnecessary risk by withholding critical safety information from U.S. consumers. If the company had warned patients and doctors about the potential link to meningiomas sooner, some may have chosen different birth control options.
As a result, legal action is now being taken to hold Pfizer accountable and seek compensation for those harmed. Because litigation is ongoing, affected women are still able to file a claim.
Who Qualifies for the Depo Shot Lawsuit?
To qualify for a Depo shot lawsuit, women need to have been diagnosed with a brain tumor after using this birth control for over a year.
Find out more about Depo shot lawsuit qualifications:
- Use of Depo-Provera: The brain tumor patient must have used the Depo-Provera birth control injection, Depo-SubQ Provera 104, or an authorized generic form of the drug.
- Duration of Use: The individual must have used Depo-Provera for at least one year. Research has shown that long-term use significantly increases the risk of developing meningiomas.
- Diagnosis of a Meningioma: The individual must have been diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor after using Depo-Provera for a prolonged period.
- Taking Action Before the Deadline: There’s only a limited amount of time to file a Depo shot claim. If you wait too long, you may miss your chance to seek justice.
Our legal team can review your medical history, analyze scientific research, and work with medical experts to prove your meningioma was caused by Depo-Provera.
If you or a loved one meets this criteria, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation that can help with medical costs, lost wages, and more.
What’s Happening in the Depo-Provera Litigation?
For years, Depo-Provera injections sold in Canada and the European Union have mentioned the risk of brain and spinal tumors known as meningiomas on the drug's warning label. However, women in the United States were left unaware.
In 2024, a study linked the active ingredient in Depo-Provera to an increased risk of meningiomas. Many women who used the birth control shot and later developed these tumors began connecting the dots and took legal action against Pfizer.
Find out what’s happening in the Depo-Provera litigation:
- Discovery is ongoing: As of July 2025, both sides continue to share key evidence with each other. Thousands of documents, like results from clinical trials and internal communications at Pfizer, have been exchanged to help attorneys build their cases.
- Depo-Provera claims reviewed: In June 2025, a third-party reviewer began evaluating each complaint filed in the MDL to ensure they meet the court’s requirements. Plaintiffs will be notified if their filings are missing essential information, like proof of their diagnosis or Depo shot use.
- First cases selected for trial: In March 2025, the court selected 5 lawsuits to serve as bellwether trials. These early cases will help both sides understand how juries may respond to evidence and could influence future settlements or trial strategies.
- Depo shot claims consolidated: In February 2025, Depo shot brain tumor lawsuits were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Florida, which is similar to a class action lawsuit. This will help streamline pre-trial proceedings.
- First birth control shot lawsuit filed: In October 2024, a California woman who used Depo-Provera from 2005 to 2021 filed the first birth control shot lawsuit after being diagnosed with a meningioma.
- Study links meningiomas to Depo-Provera: In March 2024, a BMJ study reported that patients receiving medroxyprogesterone acetate injections (the active ingredient in Depo-Provera) may face an increased risk of meningiomas. Despite this, Pfizer didn’t update the product’s warning label.
It’s not too late to join the Depo shot litigation. This case is currently active, and more women are coming forward each month in search of the justice and compensation they deserve.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if our Depo-Provera attorneys may be able to help you file a birth control lawsuit.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Depo Shot Lawsuit?
It’s estimated that hundreds of additional Depo shot lawsuits will be filed in the coming months as more women with meningiomas learn about their legal rights.
The next milestone in the Depo shot lawsuit is a hearing on Pfizer’s preemption defense, which is scheduled for September 29, 2025. The company claims that because Depo-Provera was approved by the FDA, they can’t be held responsible under certain state laws for failing to warn about meningiomas.
The outcome of this hearing will determine whether many of the birth control shot lawsuits can proceed, or if some of the claims may be dismissed.
As the Depo shot litigation moves forward, both sides will continue to engage in discovery regarding causation, or whether the active ingredient in Depo-Provera can be scientifically linked to the development of meningiomas.
Attorneys may also attempt to negotiate a Depo shot settlement for victims. However, if a settlement isn’t reached, individual cases may go to trial, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome in a verdict.
See If You Can File a Lawsuit for the Depo Shot
At Sokolove Law, our Depo shot lawyers are dedicated to helping patients stand up to powerful pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and fight for the compensation they deserve.
With decades of experience handling dangerous pharmaceutical drug cases, we can determine if you qualify for the Depo-Provera lawsuit and prepare a strong case on your behalf.
Our Depo shot law firm offers free case reviews to help you:
- Get answers to all of your questions
- Understand your legal rights and options
- Feel supported as you share your experiences
- Take a stand against the companies responsible
- See if you may qualify for compensation
We’ve successfully helped thousands of injured clients across all 50 states get justice, securing more than $10 Billion total nationwide.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to find out if you may be eligible for the Depo shot lawsuit.
