Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit (Sep 2026 Update)

Women who used the Depo-Provera birth control shot are suing Pfizer, alleging it can cause meningioma, a type of brain tumor. The lawsuits say the makers did not warn users of the alleged risk. The cases are consolidated in the Northern District of Florida as MDL No. 3140 before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Defendants maintain the medication is safe and effective. Pfizer and plaintiffs’ lead counsel reached a tentative settlement with confidential terms. More than 6,200 cases had been filed in the MDL as of August 13, 2026, according to Law.com. The FDA approved a meningioma label warning in December 2025.

Latest Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Updates

September 4, 2026: Court Names Settlement Fund Officials

The court appointed a supplemental compensation fund allocation master in Case Management Order 15. It named a qualified settlement fund administrator in Case Management Order 16 [1]. It also appointed a lien resolution master in Case Management Order 17. These roles are part of the Depo-Provera MDL in the Northern District of Florida.

August 28, 2026: Common Benefit Order No. 2 Entered

The court entered Common Benefit Order No. 2 on August 28, 2026. The order includes an attorney participation agreement as an exhibit.

August 13, 2026: Law.com Reports on Settlement Eligibility

Law.com reported on August 13, 2026 that Pfizer attorney Joseph Petrocinelli spoke at a July 27 hearing. He said about 20% of the more than 6,200 cases filed in the Depo-Provera MDL are ineligible for the settlement [2]. The terms of the settlement are confidential. The 20% figure reflects the position of Pfizer’s attorney and is not a court finding.

August 10, 2026: Registration Deadline Set for Settlement

Judge M. Casey Rodgers set a November 30 deadline for lawyers to register to participate in the settlement. The deadline is in Case Management Order No. 14, according to Law.com. She also approved three Pfizer-selected pilot cases on threshold issues such as the statute of limitations. A general causation expert hearing was reset for September 18 in those cases.

August 5, 2026: Settlement Administrator Appointed

The court appointed a settlement administrator in Case Management Order No. 13 on August 5, 2026. The order was entered in the Depo-Provera MDL.

July 28, 2026: Settlement Overview Order Issued

Case Management Order No. 12, a settlement overview, was issued on July 28, 2026. It includes updates on data administration and on ongoing state court litigation in the MDL.

June 30, 2026: Pfizer Reaches Tentative Settlement

Law.com reported on June 30, 2026 that Pfizer reached a tentative settlement with lead counsel [3]. It would resolve most of the 5,500 lawsuits in the MDL. The first bellwether trial, set for December 7, was vacated. The judge held off ruling on Pfizer’s preemption summary judgment motion. The settlement would exclude state court cases, most of them in New York and Delaware.

June 23, 2026: Pretrial Order No. 30A Entered

The court entered Pretrial Order No. 30A on June 23, 2026. It addresses how its preemption and Rule 702 rulings apply to all individual actions.

June 16, 2026: Law360 Reports Agreement with Pfizer

Law360 reported on June 16, 2026 that plaintiffs in the MDL reached an agreement with Pfizer [4]. The plaintiffs accuse Pfizer of failing to warn of a link between brain tumors and Depo-Provera.

January 27, 2026: Pretrial Order No. 30 Entered

Pretrial Order No. 30 was entered on January 27, 2026. It covers applying rulings on preemption and Rule 702 motions to each individual action in the MDL.

December 16, 2025: FDA Approves Meningioma Label Warning

NBC News reported on December 16, 2025 that the FDA approved a label change adding a meningioma warning to Depo-Provera [5]. Pfizer’s label lists the addition as a recent major change dated 12/2025.

July 14, 2025: Case Management Order No. 4 Issued

The court issued Case Management Order No. 4 on July 14, 2025, covering the dismissal of authorized generic defendants and the status of preemption and general causation discovery. Early orders in the MDL name Greenstone LLC, Viatris Inc. and Prasco LLC as defendants, in addition to Pfizer itself.

February 7, 2025: Cases Centralized as MDL No. 3140

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized the Depo-Provera cases on February 7, 2025. They became MDL No. 3140 in the Northern District of Florida. Judge M. Casey Rodgers presides over the MDL. Centralization means the federal cases are coordinated and consolidated for pretrial proceedings.

What Is Meningioma?

According to Mayo Clinic, a meningioma is a tumor that starts in the meninges, the thin layers that cover the brain and spinal cord [6]. It is classified as a primary brain tumor when near the brain. Most meningiomas grow slowly and are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. The lawsuits allege that Depo-Provera can cause users to develop one or more meningiomas.

Who May Be Affected?

Women who received Depo-Provera or generic medroxyprogesterone acetate shots and were later diagnosed with a meningioma may be affected. The court says the MDL covers Depo-Provera “or its generic equivalents.” Pfizer’s prescribing information says meningiomas have been reported after repeated administration, primarily with long term use [7]. The dose is 150 mg every 3 months (13 weeks). A JAMA Neurology study by Xiao and colleagues looked at meningioma risk. The increase was confined to patients with more than 4 years of exposure or who started after age 31 [8]. Whether any one person qualifies depends on an individual legal review of the injection records, the diagnosis and the medical history.

Reported Injuries or Damages

Plaintiffs allege meningioma after Depo-Provera use. These are allegations, not findings. NJ.com reported that Allison Blonski says she received injections from 2000 through 2020 [9]. Her lawsuit against Pfizer, filed in December 2024, lists several harms. They include bodily injuries, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses and loss of earnings. NJ.com describes a March 2024 study in The BMJ. It found women who used Depo-Provera for at least a year faced a fivefold increased risk of developing brain tumors. The same JAMA Neurology study found a relative risk of 2.43 for meningioma with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus controls. Its authors say the risk looks low overall. Mayo Clinic lists symptoms such as vision changes, headaches that are worse in the morning, hearing loss, loss of smell, seizures and mood changes.

Recall and Regulatory Background

The Depo-Provera CI label was revised in 12/2025 and lists Meningioma under Warnings and Precautions. It tells doctors to monitor patients for signs and symptoms of meningioma and to discontinue Depo-Provera CI if one is diagnosed. Plaintiffs also allege defendants failed to promote safer alternatives such as Depo-SubQ Provera 104. A separate page covers the Depo-SubQ Provera lawsuit.

Evidence to Preserve

Gather and keep these records if you used Depo-Provera:

• Records of each Depo-Provera or generic injection, with dates, clinic or pharmacy names and lot numbers if listed.
• Pharmacy and insurance records that show the prescription and each time it was filled.
• Medical records of the meningioma diagnosis, including MRI or CT reports and pathology records.
• Records of any surgery or radiation treatment, plus notes on your symptoms and doctor visits.
• Medical bills and proof of income you lost because of the diagnosis or treatment.
• Any letters, emails or patient handouts you received along with the shot.
• A dated personal journal of your symptoms, with notes added as events happen.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines exist and are set by state law. They vary with where you live, and in some states the clock starts at diagnosis. Timing also depends on when the injection happened, when the diagnosis came and when a possible link was discovered. These dates differ for each person. If a deadline passes, a Depo-Provera claim can end even when the medical facts are strong. Please talk to a lawyer promptly. In the MDL, Pfizer’s lawyers have said the statute of limitations could keep more than 1,000 cases out of the settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Current Status of the Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

The current status of the Depo-Provera lawsuit is a pending MDL with a tentative settlement. The next case management conference in the MDL is set for December 18, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CT.

What Does the Research Say About Depo-Provera and Meningioma?

Research on Depo-Provera and meningioma includes a 2025 JAMA Neurology study using the TriNetX US database. It found a relative risk of 1.18 for oral medroxyprogesterone acetate, lower than the 2.43 found for the depot injection.

Does Pfizer Deny the Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Claims?

Pfizer denies the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit claims. It says it believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them. Pfizer also says Depo-Provera has been used by millions of women worldwide.

Which Birth Control Has Been Linked to Brain Tumors?

Depo-Provera, the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate shot, is the birth control linked to brain tumors in a November 2025 study. The study found no increased risk with combined oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, progestin-only pills or the subdermal implant.

References

1. https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/mdl3140-orders-by-date
2. https://www.law.com/2026/08/13/who-is-eligibleand-who-isntfor-the-depo-provera-settlement/
3. https://www.law.com/2026/06/30/pfizer-reaches-tentative-settlement-in-depo-provera-cases-bellwether-trial-vacated/
4. https://www.law360.com/articles/2490508/pfizer-agrees-to-deal-to-end-depo-provera-mdl
5. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/fda-approves-label-change-depo-provera-adding-brain-tumor-warning-rcna249568
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningioma/symptoms-causes/syc-20355643
7. https://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=522
8. https://www.ovid.com/journals/janeu/pdf/10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.3011~depot-medroxyprogesterone-acetate-and-risk-of-meningioma-in
9. https://www.nj.com/healthfit/2026/02/nj-woman-thought-her-birth-control-was-safe-now-shes-one-of-over-2000-suing-pfizer.html