Women Affected by Depo Provera Can Seek Compensation
If you or someone you love has experienced health issues after using Depo Provera, it is important to know your rights and seek justice. The Strom Law Firm is currently accepting cases for women who used Depo Provera and diagnosed with a brain tumor. If you meet these conditions, reach out to our Depo-Provera attorneys today to schedule a free consultation or call 803-252-4800
What is Depo – Provera?
DEPO-PROVERA is an injectable form of birth control containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It’s administered every three months and is a popular contraceptive choice due to its long-acting nature and convenience. However, some studies have raised concerns about potential risks, including a possible association with certain brain tumors.
How DEPO-PROVERA Works
DEPO-PROVERA prevents pregnancy by:
- Inhibiting ovulation: It stops the ovaries from releasing eggs.
- Thickening cervical mucus: This makes it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
- Thinning the endometrial lining: This reduces the likelihood of implantation
Potential Brain Tumor Risks
Several studies have examined whether long-term use of progestin-based contraceptives like DEPO-PROVERA may increase the risk of developing certain types of brain tumors, such as meningiomas.
Key Findings on DEPO-PROVERA and Brain Tumors
- Duration of Use: Research suggests that the risk of developing meningiomas may increase with prolonged use of progestin-only contraceptives, especially if used for more than five years.
- Hormonal Influence: Meningiomas are often hormone-sensitive tumors, and they may be influenced by synthetic hormones like progestins found in DEPO-PROVERA.
- Population Studies: Some population-based studies have shown an elevated risk of meningioma in women who use high-dose progestin-based contraceptives. However, the absolute risk remains relatively low.
Important Considerations
- Personal Health History: Women with a family history of hormone-sensitive tumors or those with certain genetic predispositions may be at a higher risk.
- Risk vs. Benefit: The benefits of DEPO-PROVERA, including effective pregnancy prevention and relief from certain conditions like endometriosis, may outweigh the potential risks for many women.
- Consulting Healthcare Providers: It’s essential for women to consult their healthcare providers to discuss any personal risks and to consider alternative contraceptive options if they have concerns about tumor risks.
Timeline of the Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Depo – Provera, a contraceptive injection containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, has been the subject of legal scrutiny due to its potential association with an increased risk of brain tumors, particularly meningiomas. Below is a timeline highlighting key developments in the Depo-Provera lawsuits over the last 12 months:
March 2024: A French study published in the British Medical Journal reported a significant link between prolonged use of Depo-Provera and an elevated risk of developing meningiomas. The study found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than a year had a 5.6-fold higher risk of developing these brain tumors.
October 1, 2024: Kristina Schmidt filed the first federal lawsuit in the U.S. against Pfizer Inc. and associated companies, alleging that her long-term use of Depo-Provera led to the development of a meningioma. Schmidt claimed that Pfizer and previous owners of Depo-Provera knew or should have known about the increased risk but failed to provide adequate warnings.
October 15, 2024: Lesley Noble, an Indiana resident, filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, asserting that her 20-year use of Depo-Provera resulted in the formation of an intracranial meningioma. Noble underwent invasive surgery and radiation treatments due to the tumor’s aggressive growth.
October 28, 2024: Monique Jones filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California, alleging that her extensive use of Depo-Provera led to the development of a cerebral meningioma. Jones’s lawsuit emphasized that Pfizer and other defendants failed to warn users about the potential risks associated with the drug.
October 29, 2024: Another lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California by a woman who used Depo-Provera for nearly 25 years and developed a meningioma. The plaintiff accused Pfizer and related companies of not providing adequate warnings in the U.S. regarding the risk of brain tumors, despite such warnings being present on Canadian labels since 2015.
November 2024: As of this date, multiple lawsuits have been filed across various federal courts in the U.S., with plaintiffs alleging that prolonged use of Depo-Provera led to the development of meningiomas. Legal experts anticipate the potential consolidation of these cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL) to streamline pretrial proceedings.
These lawsuits primarily allege that Pfizer and associated companies failed to adequately warn users about the potential risks of developing brain tumors from long-term use of Depo-Provera. The outcomes of these cases may have significant implications for pharmaceutical companies’ duty to inform consumers about potential side effects of their products.
Depo-Provera Lawsuit Statute of Limitations and Deadlines
Statutes of limitations in Depo-Provera lawsuits vary by state and typically range from 1 to 6 years. The timeline potentially starts from the date of injury or discovery but may be extended by the discovery rule or if the person is a minor or incapacitated. Due to the significant variance in the statute of limitations for these kinds of cases, contacting an attorney is essential.
A Strom Law Firm attorney can help ensure timely filing and assist with collecting proper documentation. Affected individuals should start gathering necessary documentation early, as it can take time to collect medical records and proof of Depo-Provera use.
Depo-Provera lawsuits are generally based on personal injury or product liability claims. For personal injury claims, most states have a statute of limitations between 2 to 3 years from the date of injury or discovery. Product liability claims have similar time frames, with the clock starting when the injury or harm is discovered.
The statute of limitations may begin when the brain tumor or meningioma is diagnosed or when the condition is linked to Depo-Provera, extending the filing period if the injury wasn’t immediately apparent. It may be paused if the plaintiff is a minor or legally incapacitated, starting once they turn 18 or regain capacity.
Additionally, different time frames apply for wrongful death claims, usually starting from the date of death. A Strom Law Firm attorney with extensive experience in pharmaceutical litigation can determine the specific statute of limitations for your case and any applicable exceptions.
South Carolina Statue of Limitations
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including product liability cases such as those involving Depo-Provera, is generally three years from the date of injury or when the injury was discovered.
This means you typically have three years to file a lawsuit after becoming aware of the injury.
However, certain factors can affect this timeframe:
- Discovery Rule: If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the statute of limitations may begin when you reasonably should have discovered it.
- Fraudulent Concealment: If the defendant concealed the harm or its cause, the limitations period might be extended.
Given these nuances, it’s crucial to consult with a Strom Law Firm South Carolina attorney experienced in product liability and pharmaceutical litigation to assess your specific situation and ensure compliance with all legal deadlines.
Birth Control Shot Lawsuits
Large Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe and to provide clear warnings about potential risks of use. If a manufacturer fails to fulfill this obligation, they can be held responsible for any harm caused to anyone by using their product.
Pfizer did not include Depo-Provera and meningiomas as a potential risk or side effect on the product’s label. Pfizer may hold at fault for failing to inform users of this risk.
Contact a Depo-Provera Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Depo-Provera patients who are diagnosed with a brain tumor or meningioma should contact a product liability attorney at the Strom Law Firm calling 803-252-4800 or schedule a Free consultation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are well-versed in handling pharmaceutical litigation and will work strategically to secure the compensation you deserve. Our legal team at the Strom Law Firm is committed to advocating for those affected by Depo-Provera, ensuring that each case is handled with care and expertise.
