Recent studies have identified a significant association between the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera and an increased risk of developing meningioma, a type of benign brain tumor. A study published in the British Medical Journal examined health records of over 18,000 women in France and found that those who used Depo-Provera were approximately 5.76 times more likely to be diagnosed with meningioma compared to non-users.
Key Findings:
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Increased Risk: Women using Depo-Provera have a significantly higher likelihood of developing meningioma.
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Symptoms: Meningioma symptoms can include blurry vision, headaches, numbness, and seizures.
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Treatment: While meningiomas are typically non-cancerous, they may require surgical removal, posing additional health risks.
Legal Actions:
In light of these findings, several lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera. The first lawsuit was initiated in October 2024 by an Indiana woman who developed meningioma after using the contraceptive. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer failed to adequately warn users and healthcare providers about the potential risk of brain tumors associated with the drug.
Implications for Affected Individuals:
Women who have used Depo-Provera and subsequently developed meningioma may be eligible to file individual lawsuits or join class-action suits seeking compensation for their injuries.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf attorneys have a long history of fighting for women’s rights. The Legal Intelligencer named the firm’s partners in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, and women’s and children’s rights. The firm has been at the forefront of some of the most important women’s rights cases.
- Sauder Schelkopf filed the first nationwide class action lawsuit to protect individuals from the increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), associated with Allergan BIOCELL textured breast implants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently requested that Allergan recall its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders. Allergan agreed and is removing these products from the global market. Our firm was court-appointed to serve on the steering committee.
- Sauder Schelkopf, and co-counsel, reached a $215 million settlement on behalf of female patients of Dr. George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the University of Southern California accused of sexual misconduct since the 1990s. The settlement also included significant policy changes to prevent future sexual misconduct.
- Sauder Schelkopf represented women who suffered a catastrophic loss of fertilized eggs and embryos when the Pacific Fertility Center’s storage tank malfunctioned at its San Francisco fertility clinic.
- Sauder Schelkopf represented women in a lawsuit against Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. related to the manufacture and sale of its fertility drug, Bravelle. It was alleged that over 18 months, Ferring knew or had reason to know that Bravelle was sub-potent and could not deliver on its promised benefits.
- Sauder Schlekopf represented women who were implanted with Essure, a female birth control device. It is alleged that the devices migrated and fractured, punctured internal organs, or caused other injuries.
- Sauder Schelkopf represented women who alleged they were subjected to sexual misconduct by a gynecologist at a hospital located in Pasadena, California.
We Want to Hear from You
If you used Depo-Provera and subsequently developed meningiomas, contact the lawyers at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page.