Who Qualifies for a Birth Control Shot Lawsuit?
To qualify for a birth control shot lawsuit, you generally need to have used Depo-Provera for at least a year before a meningioma brain tumor diagnosis. Generic versions of the shot are also covered. A free case review can confirm whether your situation meets the criteria.
What Is the Birth Control Shot Lawsuit About?
Thousands of women who used the Depo-Provera birth control shot and were later diagnosed with a brain tumor have filed lawsuits. They claim that the manufacturers didn’t warn them or their doctors about the risks.
Women began filing lawsuits after a 2024 BMJ study found that taking the birth control shot for a year or more increased the risk of developing a brain tumor. In December 2025, the FDA approved a new meningioma warning for the drug’s label.
The litigation is active in 2026, and lawyers are accepting new cases.
Who Can File a Birth Control Shot Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a lawsuit if you used Depo-Provera (or a generic version) for one year or more and later developed a brain tumor.
Meningioma Diagnosis
You must have a meningioma diagnosis confirmed by imaging tests. A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the tissue lining your brain or spine. They’re usually benign, but as they grow, they can press into nearby nerves and cause problems.
History of Depo-Provera Use
You must have received the birth control shot at least twice in a year. This could be brand-name Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera or a generic version. Normally, Depo-Provera is given every three months, so you may qualify even if you only received between two and four shots.
Filing Within Your State’s Deadline
The time limit to file a case varies by state, but it’s generally between one and three years from your meningioma diagnosis. Some states have a discovery rule that starts the countdown from when you first learned your birth control shot could have led to your diagnosis.
The sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the easier it is to confirm your deadline. This also gives your lawyer more time to gather evidence and strengthen your case.
What Types of Birth Control Shots Are Covered?
The birth control shots included in lawsuits are Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104 and FDA-approved generics.
Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn are the primary defendants in these lawsuits. If you don’t know the manufacturer or version of your shot, you can find this information in your medical records and pharmacy receipts.
What Injuries Qualify for the Birth Control Shot Lawsuit?
The main qualifying injury for a Depo-Provera lawsuit is a meningioma tumor. These tumors are usually small and non-cancerous, but they can cause life-changing side effects if they grow. These can include chronic headaches, dizziness, hearing loss, vision problems, memory issues, difficulty driving and seizures. Surgery may be necessary to prevent or treat complications.
One woman who filed a Depo lawsuit developed severe headaches, dizziness and vertigo. After many tests, doctors diagnosed her with meningioma of the brain. Her doctors decided that she needed surgery to remove the tumor, and the procedure lasted three hours. She missed more than a month of work.
What Evidence Do You Need To File?
To file a lawsuit, you will need to gather evidence related to your Depo-Provera shots, your meningioma diagnosis and the damages you incurred because of the tumor.
- Proof of birth control shots: You can typically find this in your medical records and pharmacy receipts.
- Documentation of meningioma diagnosis: Keep track of imaging test results (such as MRIs), doctor’s notes and hospital records. In some cases, you may also need an operative report if you had surgery or a surgery recommendation.
- Evidence of financial losses: These can be medical bills, proof of lost wages and any documents that say the diagnosis may reduce your future earnings. You may also include loss of enjoyment of life as a non-financial loss.
A lawyer can help if you’re having trouble tracking down any records. They may also require other evidence that is specific to your case, so they’ll let you know if they do.
What Happens After You Find Out You Qualify?
After you get a free case review, your lawyer will review your records. If they determine you qualify, the firm will file your birth control lawsuit for you with no up-front costs. The law firm is only paid if it obtains a settlement or jury verdict for you.
From this point, your lawyer will handle the case until they either negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial. It’s more common to receive a settlement. Lawyers are still accepting birth control shot cases in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I still file if my meningioma was benign?
- Yes. In fact, most meningiomas are benign, but they are included in lawsuits because they can still cause serious health effects and require surgery to remove. They can also incur high financial costs and impact quality of life.
- Do I need to live in Florida where the lawsuits are filed?
- No. Birth control shot cases have been grouped together in Florida federal court for efficiency, but you can file from anywhere in the country.
- Is this a class action lawsuit?
- So far, there is no birth control shot class action. Instead, individual lawsuits are grouped together in a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Each case is filed and evaluated separately.
- Can I still file after the settlement announcement?
- Yes. Court documents revealed Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn were working on a settlement in June 2026, but it is not yet finalized and may not cover all cases. Lawyers are still accepting new lawsuits.
2 Cited Research Articles
Consumernotice.org adheres to the highest ethical standards for content production and references only credible sources of information, including government reports, interviews with experts, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, peer-reviewed journals, court records and academic organizations. You can learn more about our dedication to relevance, accuracy and transparency by reading our editorial policy.
- United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2026, July 1). MDL Statistics Report - Distribution of Pending MDL Dockets by District. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-July-1-2026.pdf
- Roland, N. et al. (2024, March 27). Use of Progestogens and the Risk of Intracranial Meningioma: National Case-Control Study. British Medical Journal. Retrieved from https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-078078.long
Calling this number connects you with a Consumer Notice, LLC representative. We will direct you to one of our trusted legal partners for a free case review.
Consumer Notice, LLC's trusted legal partners support the organization's mission to keep people safe from dangerous drugs and medical devices.
866-934-1922