Illinois Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorneys

Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Lawyers

Depo-Provera, a widely used hormonal contraceptive, has recently been linked to an increased risk of developing meningioma, a type of brain tumor. Even if not cancerous, meningiomas can pose a danger to your health, especially if they grow to a size that may require surgery which can be risky or invasive. If you have been diagnosed with meningioma after Depo-Provera use, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Contact the Depo-Provera attorneys at Collins Law today for a free consultation.

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera (also known as DMPA) is a contraceptive injection containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. The injection is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and altering the uterine lining. Depo-Provera, which is produced by Pfizer, is the well-known brand, but generic options are also available.

However, recent research has raised serious concerns about the long-term safety of Depo-Provera, particularly regarding its link to brain tumors called meningiomas.

Depo-Provera Raises Meningioma Risk: New Findings

In March 2024, a landmark study published in the British Medical Journal by researcher Noémie Roland, a respected epidemiologist with significant experience in public health, shed light on the potential dangers of the use of Depo-Provera. This study analyzed data from over 108,000 women and found that those who used Depo-Provera for more than one year had a 5.6-fold increased risk of developing meningioma compared to non-users.

Study Highlights:

• Significant Risk Increase: Prolonged use of Depo-Provera was linked to a substantial increase in meningioma risk (roughly 5.6 times higher).
• Study Specifics: The study revealed a concerning link between prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (the active ingredient in Depo-Provera), and an increased risk of developing intracranial meningioma.
• Extended Use Raises the Risk: The risk escalated the longer Depo-Provera was used, especially beyond one year.
• How Tumor Growth is Affected: Hormone receptors in the meninges may promote tumor growth when exposed to synthetic progesterone like medroxyprogesterone acetate.
• Risk Not Shown with Other Contraceptives : Other progesterones, such as dydrogesterone, and levonorgestrel in IUDs did not show an increased risk of meningioma, highlighting the particular danger posed by Depo-Provera.
• Institutions Involved in the Study: French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) and the French National Health Insurance.

Pfizer has acknowledged the results of Noemie Roland’s study and has said it will update its product labels to inform patients. However, as of October 29, 2024, we do not see any updated patient information on meningiomas on Pfizer’s online page. Pfizer is still not doing enough to warn patients of the risks. If you or a loved one had been diagnosed with a brain tumor after prolonged use of Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Call Collins Law at (630) 527-1595 to speak with one our nationally recognized attorneys.

Key Features of Depo Provera

Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive that is convenient and highly effective when administered properly. In a 2023 survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 25% of women said they had used Depo-Provera between 2015-2019. The following points illustrate why so many women have chosen to use Depo-Provera:

• Administration: Intramuscular injection every 12 weeks.
• Effectiveness: Over 99% effective when used as prescribed.
• Popular Use: Chosen by millions of women for its convenience and long-lasting protection against pregnancy.

How Does Depo-Provera Work?

Depo-Provera works by releasing DMPA, a synthetic progestin hormone, which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to fertilize an egg, thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. There are two types of injections:

• Intramuscular (DMPA-IM): Administered by a clinician, providing 150 mg of progestin in one dose.
• Subcutaneous (DMPA-SC): A lower-dose shot (104 mg) that can be self-administered at home using a smaller needle.

Who Uses Depo-Provera?

Marketed primarily to women seeking a reliable and long-lasting form of birth control, Depo-Provera has become a widely used contraceptive due to its convenience. Women who do not wish to take daily birth control pills or use devices such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) often turn to Depo-Provera as an alternative. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), from 2017-2019, the shot was most commonly used by:

• Younger women
• Lower-income women
• Black women

While Depo-Provera offers benefits such as convenience and effectiveness, it also comes with risks that should not be ignored, particularly regarding its association with the development of meningioma.

What is a Meningioma?

A meningioma is a type of brain tumor that develops in the meninges, the protective tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors, which are usually benign, but can be cancerous, grow at a slow pace, which may allow them to remain unnoticed for a long time. However, as they expand, they can press on the brain or spinal cord, sometimes leading to neurological symptoms, functional impairments, and serious complications, depending on their size and exact location.

• Type of Tumor: Meningiomas are slow-growing tumors that can be classified as Grade I (benign), Grade II (atypical), or Grade III (malignant).
• Dangerous Complications: Even benign meningiomas can become dangerous due to their location near critical parts of the brain. They can cause seizures, vision problems, and memory loss.
• May Require Surgery: Larger meningiomas may require invasive surgery to remove all or part of the tumor, which can lead to complications including permanent neurological damage or disabilities.
• Prevalence: Thirty percent of all primary brain tumors are meningiomas, making them the most common type of brain tumor. And women are more likely to develop a meningioma than men, perhaps due to their link to prolonged hormone exposure.

Meningioma Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The symptoms caused by meningiomas vary depending on their growth and location within the skull. If you’ve been using Depo-Provera and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately:

• Seizures
• Vision problems (double vision, blurred vision, or partial blindness)
• Memory loss or confusion
• Persistent, unexplained headaches
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Loss of smell

Treatment Approaches

Treatment for meningiomas depends on factors like the tumor’s size, growth rate, and impact on brain function. For small, asymptomatic tumors, a watch-and-wait approach with regular imaging may be recommended. For larger or symptomatic tumors, surgery is often the primary option, aiming to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible. Radiation therapy, including targeted forms like stereotactic radiosurgery, is also commonly used when tumors are difficult to remove fully or when surgery poses high risks. In more aggressive cases, radiation is used alongside other treatments to control growth and improve long-term outcomes

Filing a Depo-Provera Lawsuit: Know Your Legal Rights

As the link between Depo-Provera and meningiomas becomes more well-known, we anticipate filing more lawsuits against Pfizer for failing to adequately warn women about the potential risks of tumor development. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to demand compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Why You Should File a Lawsuit

• Pfizer’s Responsibility: There is growing concern that Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, may have failed to adequately test the product and warn consumers about the risks associated with its prolonged use. Plaintiffs’ attorneys allege that the company did not provide sufficient warnings about the potential for developing meningiomas, leaving many women exposed to serious health risks.

• Financial Compensation: Victims of Depo-Provera-related meningiomas may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
• Holding Corporations Accountable: By filing a lawsuit, you not only seek compensation for your own losses but also help hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for ensuring the safety of their products.

What to Expect in a Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit against a major pharmaceutical company can be challenging, but with an experienced team of legal professionals, you can build a strong case, if the facts support it. In a Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit, your attorney will gather medical evidence, listen to expert testimony, and formulate legal arguments to prove:

• Your long-term use of Depo-Provera.
• Your diagnosis of meningioma by a physician.
• The connection between your tumor and the long-term use of Depo-Provera.
• Pfizer’s failure to provide adequate warnings about the risks of the contraceptive.

Why Hire the Experienced Attorneys at Collins Law?

Navigating a lawsuit against a major corporation like Pfizer requires highly skilled attorneys experienced in pharmaceutical litigation. The accomplished lawyers at Collins Law can ensure your case is handled professionally, including:

• Providing Expert Legal Advice: An experienced attorney will evaluate your case, determine if you have a strong legal claim, and advise you on the best course of action.
• Filing within the Time Limitations: Statutes of limitations apply, so it’s important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Your attorney will know those time limits and will file your case before they have expired.
• Maximizing Compensation: A skilled lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation possible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Navigating Complex Litigation: Lawsuits against large pharmaceutical companies are complex legal proceedings, involving filing claims, presenting evidence, and negotiating settlements. An experienced attorney will navigate all these legal issues for you.
• Charging No Upfront Costs: Our attorneys handling Depo-Provera meningioma cases work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees until we win your case.

At Collins Law, we have years of experience fighting and winning cases against big corporations. And our legal awards, record-setting verdicts, and significant settlements are proof that we are the right attorneys for your case. Call us at (630) 527-1595 to put our experience to work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Anyone Filed a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

Yes. At least two plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Pfizer and others alleging that they developed a meningioma after long-term Depo-Provera use. We expect more lawsuits to be filed as this information becomes more widely known.

Who Is Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit?

Any woman who has been diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor by a physician after using Depo-Provera, or a generic version of the contraceptive, for a year or more may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

I Have a Meningioma but Stopped Taking Depo-Provera a Few Years Ago. Am I Still Eligible?

You may still be eligible. It depends on the laws in your state. Call us for a consultation to determine your eligibility.

Time is of the Essence: Don’t Wait to Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Studies have established a clear link between long-term use of progesterone-based therapies like Depo-Provera and an increased risk of meningiomas. Worse still, Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, failed to warn women of these risks, and as a result, may have endangered your health. You are entitled to justice. If you have developed a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, don’t wait to take action. The experienced legal team here at Collins Law is ready to help you navigate the complexities of pharmaceutical litigation and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Act Now: There are time limits for filing lawsuits, so don’t delay. Fill out our client contact form for a free consultation. Let us fight for your rights and hold Pfizer accountable for the harm you’ve suffered.

Call Us Today: We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights and options. Call us at (630) 527-1595 to get started.