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For decades, women have relied on the Depo-Provera injection for contraception. Now, research and an increasing number of lawsuits suggest a disturbing connection: long-term use of this drug may significantly increase the risk of developing a specific type of brain tumor. If you used Depo-Provera and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, you are not alone, and your diagnosis may be linked to the medication.
Drug manufacturers have a fundamental duty to inform people of all known risks associated with their products. Lawsuits filed against Pfizer, the maker of Depo-Provera, allege the company failed to properly warn patients and doctors in the United States about the risk of brain tumors, even as warnings were added in other countries. When this trust is broken, people suffer the medical, emotional, and financial consequences.
You have legal rights. Holding a pharmaceutical company accountable is possible.
The team at Walner Law has spent decades handling cases against large corporations. We understand the science and legal strategy involved in Depo-Provera lawsuits. If you have questions after a brain tumor diagnosis, call us for a free, confidential conversation at (312) 410-8496.
We are a family-run practice that has represented injured clients in Chicago and across the country for over 50 years. Our philosophy is built on direct, personal attention. When you call our firm, you speak with an attorney who will listen to your story and guide you personally through this process.
Our work centers on personal injury and product liability claims. We have a long history of securing significant settlements in mass torts against powerful corporations and drug companies. We have the resources, the knowledge, and the resolve to see these challenging cases through to the end.
Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a long-acting contraceptive injection. It prevents pregnancy by releasing a high dose of a synthetic hormone called progestin.
A growing body of scientific research has identified a strong connection between long-term Depo-Provera use and an increased risk of developing a meningioma. This is a tumor that grows from the meninges—the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
While most meningiomas are not cancerous, their location is what makes them dangerous. As they grow, they can press on the brain or spinal cord, leading to serious, and sometimes permanent, neurological problems. The current lawsuits against Pfizer focus specifically on these meningioma tumors.
The biological explanation centers on hormones. Many meningiomas have progesterone receptors on their cell surfaces. The theory is that the high dose of synthetic progestin in Depo-Provera binds to these receptors, which may stimulate the growth of these tumors.
One study published in the British Medical Journal found that women who used the injection for a year or more had a more than five-fold increased risk of developing an intracranial meningioma.
Because these tumors are typically slow-growing, the symptoms may start subtly and can be mistaken for other health issues or normal signs of aging. The signs depend entirely on where the tumor is pressing on the brain. Common symptoms include:
The strongest cases generally involve individuals who meet the following criteria:
Using other contraceptives does not disqualify you. The case will center on establishing the link between your meningioma and your use of Depo-Provera, which contains a uniquely high dose of progestin compared to many other methods.
Every state has a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit, known as a statute of limitations. In Illinois, product liability claims generally must be filed within two years from the date you discovered your injury.
However, these deadlines can be tricky. The “discovery rule” may apply, meaning the clock starts when you knew, or reasonably should have known, that your tumor could be connected to the drug. Because these time limits are strictly enforced, it is best to speak with an attorney to determine the eligibility of your case.
The treatment path depends on the tumor’s size, location, and whether it’s causing symptoms.
For small, slow-growing tumors that aren’t causing problems, doctors may recommend a “watchful waiting” approach with regular MRI scans to monitor for any changes. However, if the tumor is large, growing, or pressing on sensitive areas of the brain, more active treatment is necessary.
The most common treatment is surgery to remove the tumor. A neurosurgeon may perform a craniotomy, which involves temporarily removing a piece of the skull to access and extract the growth. In some cases, less invasive procedures through the nose may be possible. Even with a successful surgery, recovery can be long, and there is always a risk of complications like memory loss, personality changes, or seizures.
If surgery is too risky or doesn’t remove the entire tumor, radiation therapy may be used to shrink the remaining parts or stop their growth. Chemotherapy is rarely effective for these types of tumors.
A lawsuit seeks to secure financial compensation—legally called “damages”—for the harm you’ve experienced. This is intended to cover every loss, from the easily calculated to the deeply personal.
These are the verifiable financial losses you have because of your diagnosis and treatment. They are meant to help restore your financial stability and include:
These damages address the non-financial ways the tumor has rewritten your life. Though they don’t come with a receipt, their impact is undeniable:
Many product liability cases are resolved through a settlement, which is a negotiated agreement with the drug manufacturer. Our role is to build a case so strong that the manufacturer is compelled to offer a fair settlement that fully accounts for all your damages. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial to ensure we are negotiating from a position of strength.
While we handle the legal work, there are a few things you should do to help build a strong foundation for your claim.
We handle Depo-Provera cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney’s fees. Our payment is “contingent” on winning your case. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you, and our fee is a percentage of that recovery.
Not necessarily. While our firm is based in Chicago, we represent clients from across the country. Many parts of a mass tort case are handled remotely. If travel is ever required, we will discuss all the logistics with you well in advance to make the process as smooth as possible.
These cases are typically handled as a “mass tort,” not a class action. This is an important distinction. In a mass tort, your case is grouped with others for efficiency (like sharing evidence), but your claim remains individual. Any settlement or verdict is based on your specific damages, not divided among thousands of people.
Litigation against a major pharmaceutical company is a long process that may take several years to resolve. These corporations have deep legal resources to defend themselves. Our commitment is to keep you informed at every stage and to manage the process efficiently while building the strongest possible case for you.
The primary legal responsibility for warning about a drug’s side effects rests with the manufacturer. Doctors rely on the information provided by the drug company. Your lawsuit would be directed at the manufacturer for its failure to adequately warn the medical community and the public about the risk of meningioma.
The legal team at Walner Law is ready to listen to your story and help you understand your options. Let us put our five decades of experience to work for you.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to help. Contact us at (312) 410-8496.
