The Depo-Provera litigation has reached an important turning point. After thousands of women filed lawsuits alleging that Depo-Provera caused or contributed to the development of intracranial meningiomas, attorneys for the plaintiffs and Pfizer have signed a Master Settlement Agreement intended to resolve a majority of the claims pending in the federal multidistrict litigation.
That is important news for the women in Missouri that have already filed a Depo Provera lawsuit through Jeff Carey. It is also important to understand what the announcement does, and does not, mean for women who used Depo-Provera or a generic equivalent and were later diagnosed with a meningioma.
The settlement does not necessarily mean that every pending case has been resolved. The amounts that have been agreed to are confidential. Most importantly, women who have not yet filed a lawsuit are not entitled to participate in this settlement. That does not mean, however, that you cannot do so now.
Jeff is still evaluating new Depo-Provera meningioma claims.
What Has Happened in the Depo-Provera Litigation?
The federal Depo-Provera lawsuits were consolidated as MDL No. 3140 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. An MDL allows lawsuits involving similar allegations to be coordinated before one federal judge for purposes such as discovery, expert testimony, pretrial motions, and settlement discussions.
These lawsuits generally allege that women developed intracranial meningiomas after receiving Depo-Provera, which contains depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or a generic equivalent. Plaintiffs contend that the manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about the risk of developing these tumors.
On June 15, 2026, leadership counsel announced that a settlement had been reached covering a majority of the claims in the federal MDL and New York state court. The parties signed a Master Settlement Agreement on July 21, 2026. According to the federal court, the parties estimate that roughly 80 percent of the plaintiffs already in the MDL may be eligible to participate.
By July 27, 2026, the federal MDL included 6,289 filed actions. Cases continued to be filed even after the initial settlement announcement, although the rate of new filings had slowed.
Is This a Final Settlement for Everyone?
No. The settlement is a major development, but it should not be described as a universal resolution of every Depo-Provera claim. If you have not filed a lawsuit, you are not eligible to participate in this settlement. If you file one in the future, it is likely that this settlement or something similar will be available to compensate you for your injuries.
The agreement is private and subject to confidentiality provisions. Its detailed eligibility standards, valuation criteria, and individual payment amounts have not been publicly disclosed and cannot be disclosed here. Eligibility will be governed by the terms of the Master Settlement Agreement rather than simply by the fact that someone used Depo-Provera and developed a meningioma.
The Depo-Provera MDL is also not a class action. Each woman has an individual claim based on her medical history, medication use, diagnosis, injuries, state law, and other facts. The court therefore does not conduct the type of fairness review that would ordinarily occur in a class-action settlement.
Judge M. Casey Rodgers has nevertheless stated that, after being informed of the agreement’s terms, she believes it offers an excellent outcome to thousands of eligible claimants who might otherwise face years of additional litigation and expense.
The parties advised the court that settlement registration should be completed in November 2026 and that payments are expected to begin during the first quarter of 2027. Those dates remain projections and may change as the settlement is administered.
What Happens to Claims Outside the Settlement?
The litigation is continuing for women who are not eligible for the settlement or who elect not to participate.
The federal court canceled the original December pilot trial because the selected plaintiffs were eligible for the settlement. The court then selected replacement cases and directed the parties to address statute-of-limitations defenses on an expedited basis. A hearing concerning general causation and the admissibility of expert testimony is scheduled for September 18, 2026.
These continuing proceedings matter. They show that the settlement did not simply close the courthouse or end all Depo-Provera litigation. Claims that fall outside the agreement may continue through motions, discovery, trial preparation, or separate settlement discussions.
Can Someone Still File a Depo-Provera Meningioma Claim?
Potentially, yes.
The announcement of a settlement does not automatically prevent a newly identified claimant from filing a lawsuit. Public court records confirm that cases continued to be filed after the June settlement announcement. The court has also approved the creation of a no-filing-fee administrative docket intended to facilitate the settlement claims-review process. Whether a particular new claimant can enter that process will depend on the final procedures and the confidential eligibility requirements.
Women should not interpret that as a guarantee of eligibility. The settlement may contain registration deadlines, medical-documentation requirements, proof-of-use standards, diagnosis requirements, or other restrictions that are not publicly available.
Separate statutes of limitations also apply. These laws establish deadlines for bringing legal claims and vary from state to state. The applicable deadline may depend on several dates, including when Depo-Provera was used, when the meningioma was diagnosed, when symptoms began, and when the potential connection between the medication and the tumor was or reasonably could have been discovered.
Waiting for more settlement information could therefore be dangerous. A private settlement agreement does not necessarily pause or extend a claimant’s legal deadline.
What Information May Be Important to a Claim?
A Depo-Provera meningioma investigation will ordinarily require documentation showing both medication use and the diagnosis. Useful materials may include:
- Pharmacy records showing Depo-Provera or generic medroxyprogesterone acetate injections
- Medical records from the prescribing physician, clinic, health department, or pharmacy
- Imaging reports identifying the location and size of the meningioma
- Surgical, pathology, radiation, or neurology records
- Documentation of symptoms, treatment, lost income, and continuing medical problems
Many women no longer have every pharmacy record, particularly when injections were received years ago. That does not necessarily mean a claim cannot be investigated. Attorneys may be able to obtain records from pharmacies, medical providers, insurance companies, government programs, or other sources.
What if I took Depo Provera But I Have Not Been Diagnosed With Meningioma
If you took Depo Provera and have any of these symptoms that are not otherwise explained or may have been misdiagnosed you should consult with a health care professional and advise them that you took Depo Provera. They may want to perform studies to see if intracranial meningioma may be causing your symptoms.
- Persistent or worsening headaches, particularly headaches that are worse in the morning
- Seizures
- Blurred or double vision
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Hearing loss or ringing in one ear
- Loss or reduction of the sense of smell
- Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, sometimes affecting only one side of the body
- Facial numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Memory problems or confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble speaking or understanding language
- Changes in personality, behavior, or mood
- Nausea or vomiting associated with increased pressure inside the skull
Do Not Assume It Is Too Late
The Depo-Provera settlement is encouraging for many women who have already filed claims. It also confirms that these cases have progressed far beyond the earliest investigative stage. Pfizer is actively trying to exclude women from compensation because of their assertion that their claims are time-barred. It is important, if you have or suspect that you may have meningioma after Depo-Provera use that you act quickly to protect your rights.
Jeffrey Carey, associated with The Gori Law Firm, is continuing to investigate Depo-Provera meningioma claims. Call 816-246-9445 today to discuss your medication history, diagnosis, and possible legal rights. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.