A panel of federal judges is sending more than two dozen lawsuits to Florida to create a mass tort proceeding for women who took Pfizer Inc.’s hormonal birth control injection Depo-Provera.
The women claim Depo-Provera and its generic equivalent caused them to develop brain tumors. In a Feb. 7 order, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred 27 pending cases to the Northern District of Florida under the supervision of Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Claims focus on intracranial meningioma
“Plaintiffs allege that recent scientific studies demonstrate that long-term use of Depo-Provera can result in an increased risk of developing one or more
meningiomas (a type of brain tumor),” the panel wrote in its decision. “Plaintiffs each allege that they developed an intracranial meningioma caused by use of Depo-Provera or a generic version thereof, and they assert substantially similar products liability and misrepresentation claims.”
Increased risk for women
The injectable version of Depo-Provera had a 550% higher risk of intracranial meningioma, according to a recent study. The risk is highest for women who took Depo-Provera for at least a year. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits claim Pfizer does not adequately warn women about brain tumors. The connection between Depo Provera and meningioma comes from its high levels of synthetic progestin, which mimics the hormone progesterone.
The attorneys at Alex Davis Law Office have decades of experience with MDL mass tort cases involving a wide variety of medications and medical devices. We are investigating Depo-Provera claims in every U.S. state. Pfizer, the maker of Depo-Provera, does not warn consumers about the risks of meningioma on the drug’s label.
Free consultation for Depo-Provera claims
The new proceeding in Florida is not a class action. Each lawsuit remains an individual case, and the lawsuits are consolidated in front of a single judge for the sake of efficiency and consistent pre-trial decisions. Lawsuits involving complex legal issues and pharmaceutical regulations require an attorney with experience in these areas. If you or a loved one have Depo-Provera questions, call the attorneys at Alex Davis Law at 502-882-6000 for a free consultation.