If you received Depo-Provera injections and later developed a meningioma brain tumor, you may qualify for significant compensation through a product liability lawsuit. The connection between this widely used birth control shot and serious brain tumors has prompted legal action nationwide, including here in Wisconsin. Schwaba Law Firm will fight aggressively for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more.

This guide explains Depo-Provera’s health risks and lawsuit options for victims in Wisconsin seeking compensation for meningioma brain tumors through a Depo-Provera lawsuit.

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. Administered once every three months, this birth control method has gained popularity due to its convenience and effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, has marketed this contraceptive as a safe, long-acting solution for women seeking reliable birth control. The shot works by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg, and thinning the uterine lining.

Despite its current widespread use, Depo-Provera faced significant regulatory hurdles before receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA rejected Upjohn’s (now part of Pfizer) applications to market the drug as a contraceptive in 1967, 1978, and 1983 due to safety concerns, including potential cancer risks. The drug finally received FDA approval for contraceptive use in 1992 after years of debate and additional studies.

Health Complications Linked to Depo-Provera

Consequences of Meningiomas

Recent scientific research has revealed concerning links between Depo-Provera use and serious health complications, particularly brain tumors called meningiomas.

Common side effects include:

  • Irregular menstrual bleeding or spotting
  • Weight gain
  • Headaches
  • Mood changes and depression
  • Decreased bone density
  • Delayed return to fertility

However, the drug also has the potential to cause much more severe complications, including:

  • Meningioma brain tumors (Recent studies show a 5.5 times higher risk for long-term users)
  • Seizures resulting from brain tumor pressure
  • Vision and hearing impairment
  • Memory and cognitive function issues
  • Severe headaches and confusion
  • Permanent neurological damage requiring intensive medical intervention

A groundbreaking March 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal analyzed over 108,000 women and found that long-term exposure to medroxyprogesterone acetate (the active ingredient in Depo-Provera) significantly increases the risk of developing meningiomas. The study revealed an alarming odds ratio of 5.55, meaning users were over five times more likely to develop these brain tumors than non-users.

Why Are Women Filing Lawsuits Against Depo-Provera?

Women across Wisconsin and nationwide have begun filing lawsuits against Pfizer based on several compelling legal claims:

  • Failure to warn – Despite decades of scientific evidence suggesting a link between progesterone-based drugs and meningiomas (dating back to 1983), Pfizer never included warnings about this serious risk on U.S. Depo-Provera labels. This prevented women and their healthcare providers from making fully informed decisions.
  • Defective design – The lawsuits allege that Depo-Provera’s formulation creates an unreasonable risk of harm that outweighs its benefits, especially given the availability of safer alternative contraceptives.
  • Negligence – Plaintiffs contend that Pfizer knew or should have known about the meningioma risk based on available scientific research and failed to conduct adequate safety testing.
  • Fraudulent concealment – Some lawsuits claim that Pfizer deliberately concealed information about the brain tumor risk to protect their profits, prioritizing financial gain over patient safety.

These legal claims have substantial merit given that regulatory agencies in Europe, Canada, and South Africa have required meningioma warnings for progesterone-based medications, while U.S. labeling remains silent on this risk.

Am I Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

You may qualify to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit in Wisconsin if you meet the following criteria:

  • You received at least two Depo-Provera contraceptive injections.
  • You were subsequently diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor.
  • You received your diagnosis within the timeline indicated in Wisconsin’s statute of limitations (generally three years).
  • You can provide medical records documenting both your Depo-Provera use and meningioma diagnosis.

The strength of your case will depend on several factors:

  • The duration of your Depo-Provera use (longer-term use typically strengthens the causation argument)
  • The timing between your Depo-Provera use and diagnosis
  • The absence of other major risk factors for meningioma
  • The grade and severity of your meningioma
  • The impact on your health, career, and quality of life

Schwaba Law Firm will evaluate your specific circumstances during a free consultation to determine your eligibility for compensation.

How to Prove Your Case

Building a strong Depo-Provera lawsuit requires comprehensive evidence linking your contraceptive use to your brain tumor diagnosis. Our experienced Wisconsin product liability attorneys will help you gather and present this vital evidence, including:

  • Medical records from healthcare providers showing your Depo-Provera injections, including dates and frequency of administration
  • Pharmacy records confirming your use of the contraceptive
  • Insurance and billing claims related to Depo-Provera injections
  • Diagnosis documentation confirming your meningioma diagnosis, including MRI scans, surgical reports, and pathology results
  • Expert testimony from neurologists, oncologists, and other specialists establishing the causal link between your Depo-Provera use and meningioma development

Our firm will partner with highly qualified medical experts who can explain the biological mechanism behind Depo-Provera’s role in promoting meningioma growth through its effects on progesterone receptors in brain tissue.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

Wisconsin victims of Depo-Provera-related meningiomas may recover significant compensation for the full range of losses they suffered:

  • Medical expenses, including brain surgery, radiation treatment, and ongoing neurological care
  • Lost wages for work missed during treatment and any long-term career impacts
  • Pain and suffering
  • Future medical costs for continued treatment, monitoring, and potential tumor recurrence
  • Loss of consortium, for the impact on relationships with spouses or partners

Based on preliminary analyses of similar brain injury lawsuits, Depo-Provera meningioma cases involving significant complications could potentially result in settlement amounts ranging from $275,000 to $500,000, with severe cases potentially reaching higher values.

Depo-Provera and the FDA: Warnings and Approvals Timeline

Understanding the regulatory history of Depo-Provera helps illustrate potential negligence in protecting consumers:

  • 1960s-1980s: The FDA repeatedly rejected applications to market Depo-Provera as a contraceptive due to safety concerns, including cancer risks.
  • 1992: The FDA finally approved Depo-Provera as a contraceptive after additional studies and increasing global acceptance.
  • 2004: The FDA required a black box warning for Depo-Provera regarding bone density loss, noting that bone loss increases with duration of use and may not be completely reversible.
  • 2010s-Present: Despite European regulations requiring meningioma warnings for progesterone-based medications, the FDA has not mandated similar warnings for U.S. consumers.
  • March 2024: A landmark British Medical Journal study found a 5.5-fold increased risk of meningioma with MPA use, yet no label changes have been implemented.

This timeline demonstrates a pattern of delayed action in protecting consumers despite mounting scientific evidence of serious risks associated with Depo-Provera.

Depo-Provera Lawsuit FAQs

Some of the most pressing questions potential clients have for us include:

Is there a class action for Depo-Provera injuries?

While not technically a class action, Depo-Provera meningioma cases are being consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). This process enables individual lawsuits to proceed under coordinated pretrial proceedings, ensuring consistency while preserving each plaintiff’s right to a settlement amount based on their specific injuries.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s statutory deadline for product liability claims is generally three years from the date of injury. However, in Depo-Provera cases, the “discovery rule” often applies, meaning the clock starts when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the connection between Depo-Provera and your meningioma. Because this connection has only recently been scientifically established, many victims still have time to file.

What proof do I need to start a claim?

To begin your claim, you will need medical records documenting your Depo-Provera use and meningioma diagnosis. Schwaba Law Firm can help you gather additional evidence during the legal process.

Can I still file if I used Depo-Provera years ago?

Yes, many women who used Depo-Provera years ago can still file claims if their meningioma diagnosis occurred recently. The “discovery rule” and “equitable tolling” may extend filing deadlines since most women could not reasonably connect their tumors to Depo-Provera until recent scientific publications established this link.

Get Help from a Wisconsin Depo-Provera Lawsuit Lawyer

Our results

If you or a loved one developed a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, Schwaba Law Firm can provide the aggressive representation and compassionate guidance you need during this difficult time. Since 2010, our firm has fought tirelessly for Wisconsin injury victims, securing considerable compensation for those harmed by dangerous pharmaceutical products.

Our approach reflects the values of our Wisconsin communities, placing people above profits and fighting for what’s right. We will:

  • Thoroughly evaluate your medical records and case details
  • Connect you with qualified medical experts who can strengthen your claim
  • Handle all communication with Pfizer’s legal team and insurance representatives
  • Prepare your case thoroughly as if it will go to trial, even while pursuing a fair settlement
  • Keep you informed throughout every step of the legal process
  • Advance all costs related to your case—you pay nothing unless we win

The developing Depo-Provera litigation presents an opportunity for victims to hold Pfizer accountable for failing to warn about the serious health risks associated with their product. Contact Schwaba Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.