A major development in the Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) litigation occurred in February 2025, when a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) was created to handle lawsuits filed by women who developed meningioma brain tumors after using the birth control shot. 

This coordinated proceeding centralizes many of the Depo-Provera lawsuits filed against Pfizer in the Northern District of Florida. The goal is to manage a growing number of claims more efficiently while addressing shared legal and scientific questions. 

For many women, the creation of this MDL signals that these cases are being taken seriously at the federal level. It also creates a clearer path for pursuing legal action. 

If you used Depo-Provera and were later diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. To find out whether you qualify, call Hissey Mulderig & Friend toll-free at 1-866-806-8117, or complete the free case evaluation form on this page. 

What Is the Depo-Provera MDL?

Multidistrict litigation, or MDL, is a legal process used when many lawsuits across the country involve similar claims. 

In the Depo-Provera litigation, women in multiple states have filed lawsuits alleging that the drug caused meningioma brain tumors and that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about this risk. 

Rather than handling these cases separately in courts across the country, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred them into one centralized proceeding in federal court in Florida. 

The MDL allows the court to coordinate: 

• Discovery and evidence gathering  
• Expert testimony on medical and scientific issues  
• Pretrial rulings that apply across cases  

The Depo-Provera MDL is separate from another class action lawsuit that was filed in Florida last year. In the MDL, each case remains an individual lawsuit.

The MDL simply streamlines the process and avoids duplicating the same work in multiple courts, potentially making it easier for women who developed cerebral meningioma after using the Depo shot to receive compensation.

Why the Depo-Provera MDL Was Created

The Depo-Provera MDL was established in response to a growing number of lawsuits raising similar allegations. 

These cases generally claim that: 

• Depo-Provera is linked to meningioma brain tumors  
• Long-term use may increase the risk of developing these tumors  
• Patients and physicians were not adequately warned  
• Earlier warnings could have influenced treatment decisions  

When courts see a large number of cases with shared factual questions, they often consolidate them into an MDL to improve efficiency and consistency. 

Where the Litigation Stands Now

As of March 2026, the Depo-Provera MDL is still in the early stages, but it is moving forward. 

The federal court in the Northern District of Florida is overseeing case management, including scheduling, evidence collection, and legal briefing. 

Key steps currently underway include: 

• Gathering medical records and documentation  
• Identifying expert witnesses  
• Evaluating scientific evidence linking Depo-Provera to meningiomas  
• Addressing legal defenses raised by the manufacturer  

As the MDL progresses, the court will make decisions that could shape how these cases move toward trial or a potential settlement. 

How the MDL Process Works for Plaintiffs

One of the most important points for patients to understand is that the MDL is not a class action. Each plaintiff maintains her own individual lawsuit. 

This means: 

• Your case is evaluated based on your specific medical history  
• Any compensation depends on your individual circumstances  
• You are not part of a single, shared settlement unless you choose to participate  

The MDL simply allows common issues to be handled together, making the process more efficient for everyone involved and potentially making it easier for Depo-Provera users to receive a settlement. 

Who May Be Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Women who experienced serious complications after using Depo-Provera may qualify to file a claim if their situation meets certain criteria, including: 

• You used Depo Provera, Depo SubQ Provera 104, or generic medroxyprogesterone shots 
• You were treated with the birth control shot for at least one year, which typically means four injections 
• You were diagnosed with a cerebral meningioma brain tumor 

Each case depends on factors such as duration of use, timing of diagnosis, and medical history. Find out more about whether you may qualify to take legal action by contacting the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend. 

The Science Behind the Depo-Provera Lawsuits

The litigation is supported by emerging scientific research examining the relationship between hormonal contraceptives and tumor growth. 

A 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal reported that prolonged use of Depo-Provera was associated with a significantly increased risk of intracranial meningiomas. 

Other research has shown that the risk of developing cerebral meningioma increases the longer a patient is treated with Depo-Provera.

Meningiomas form in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While often described as benign, they can still lead to serious complications, including: 

• Persistent headaches  
• Vision or hearing loss  
• Seizures  
• Cognitive changes  

Treatment may involve surgery or radiation, both of which carry long-term risks and recovery challenges. 

Why These Cases Focus on Failure to Warn

The central legal issue in the Depo-Provera MDL is whether the manufacturer provided adequate warnings. 

Pharmaceutical companies are required to inform patients and healthcare providers about known or reasonably foreseeable risks associated with their products. 

The lawsuits filed against Pfizer by women who used the Depo shot have alleged that the risk of meningioma brain tumors was not clearly or timely disclosed. 

If that allegation is proven, it may establish liability under product liability law. 

What Compensation May Be Available

Women who qualify to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit may be able to recover compensation for: 

• Medical expenses related to diagnosis and treatment  
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity  
• Pain and suffering  
• Ongoing medical care or medical monitoring 

The value of a claim depends on the severity of the condition and its impact on daily life. 

Diagnosed After Depo-Provera? What to Do Next

If you were diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, it is important to act promptly. 

Your doctor will oversee your medical care, which may include imaging such as MRI scans, monitoring tumor growth, managing symptoms, and recommending surgery or radiation treatment when appropriate. 

At the same time, legal deadlines may limit how long you have to file a claim, and evidence can become more difficult to obtain over time. 

Speaking with an attorney can help determine whether you meet the criteria for a lawsuit and what steps to take next. 

Talk With a Lawyer About Filing a Depo-Provera Claim

If you used Depo-Provera and were later diagnosed with a brain tumor, you may have legal options. 

The attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend are actively investigating Depo-Provera cases and can help determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. 

There is no charge for a consultation, and you will never have to pay legal fees unless we are able to recover damages in your case. 

Find out whether you qualify or start your claim today by contacting the law firm of Hissey Mulderig & Friend. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 1-866-806-8117, or send us a message using our free Depo-Provera case evaluation form at the top of this page.