Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Illinois & Chicago
Illinois residents who developed meningioma brain tumors after using Depo-Provera may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Pfizer. Attorneys are actively accepting cases from across Illinois, including Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, and surrounding areas.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois residents can file claims in the federal MDL-3140
- 2-year statute of limitations from date of injury discovery in Illinois
- Active cases in Illinois — attorneys accepting new clients
- No upfront costs — cases handled on contingency fee basis
- BMJ study found 5.55x higher risk of brain tumors from Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera Use in Illinois
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), approximately 8.7% of Illinois mothers reported using Depo-Provera injections as their birth control method in 2015 (95% CI: 7.1-10.6%). This represents an estimated 10,351 Illinois women who gave birth that year using this contraceptive method.
Depo-Provera is commonly offered by Illinois Medicaid providers and healthcare facilities across the state. The widespread use of injectable contraceptives in Illinois means thousands of women may have been exposed to elevated meningioma risk without adequate warning.
Source: Illinois PRAMS 2015 Data Tables, Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Legal Information
Illinois Statute of Limitations
Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202), the statute of limitations for product liability personal injury cases is two years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury.
Important: Illinois follows the "discovery rule," meaning the statute of limitations may not begin until you discover (or reasonably should have discovered) both your injury and that it was caused by Depo-Provera. The December 2025 FDA warning may affect when the discovery clock started for many plaintiffs.
Statute of Repose
Illinois also has a statute of repose that sets an outer limit for product liability claims. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-213, claims must generally be filed within 12 years of the date the product was first sold. However, this may not apply if the product was warranted for a longer period or if the injury occurred closer to the end of that window.
Chicago & Northern Illinois
Chicago and the greater Northern Illinois area represent a significant portion of the state's Depo-Provera users. Women in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Will County, and surrounding areas who received Depo-Provera injections and later developed meningioma may be eligible to file claims.
Federal Court Jurisdiction
While the Depo-Provera MDL is consolidated in the Northern District of Florida, Illinois residents can file their cases locally. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will transfer qualifying federal cases to the MDL for coordinated pretrial proceedings.
Northern District of Illinois
The Northern District of Illinois, which includes Chicago, is one of the busiest federal courts in the nation. Illinois plaintiffs can file here before transfer to the MDL, or work with attorneys who file directly in the MDL court.
1 About the Depo-Provera Litigation
Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer containing depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). Plaintiffs in MDL-3140 allege that long-term use of Depo-Provera significantly increases the risk of developing meningioma—a type of brain tumor arising from the protective membranes covering the brain.
A landmark BMJ study published in March 2024 found that women who used injectable DMPA for one year or more had a 5.55 times higher risk of developing meningioma compared to non-users. A subsequent November 2025 study in JAMA Neurology confirmed a 2.43x increased risk in U.S. patients.
In December 2025, the FDA finally added a meningioma warning to the Depo-Provera label—more than 30 years after the drug's approval.
2 Do You Qualify? (Illinois)
Illinois Eligibility Checklist
- You are an Illinois resident or received Depo-Provera in Illinois
- You used Depo-Provera or generic injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate
- You were diagnosed with meningioma (brain tumor)
- You required treatment (surgery, radiation, monitoring) for the tumor
- Your claim is within the statute of limitations (2 years from discovery)
Illinois-Specific FAQs
Can Illinois residents file a Depo-Provera lawsuit?
Yes. Illinois residents who developed meningioma after using Depo-Provera can file lawsuits. Cases are being consolidated in the federal MDL-3140 in Florida, but you can work with attorneys licensed in Illinois who will handle the filing process.
What is the deadline to file in Illinois?
Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for product liability cases. The clock typically starts when you discover (or should have reasonably discovered) your injury and its connection to Depo-Provera. Given the December 2025 FDA warning, many victims may still be within this window. Consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Do I need an Illinois-based attorney?
Not necessarily. Because this is a federal MDL, attorneys from any state can represent you. Many national mass tort law firms are accepting Illinois cases. What matters most is the firm's experience with pharmaceutical litigation and their track record with similar cases.
How much does it cost to file?
Most Depo-Provera attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. The attorney's fee is a percentage of any settlement or verdict you receive. If you don't win, you typically don't owe attorney fees. Initial consultations are free.
Sources & References
7 sources cited• Illinois Compiled Statutes, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 (Personal Injury Statute of Limitations)
• Illinois Compiled Statutes, 735 ILCS 5/13-213 (Product Liability Statute of Repose)
• Illinois Department of Public Health. "2015 Illinois PRAMS Data Tables." Illinois Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System
• Douglas-Hall A, Li NW, Kavanaugh ML. "State-Level Estimates of Contraceptive Use in the United States, 2019." Guttmacher Institute
• Roland N, et al. BMJ. 2024;384:e078078 — Depo-Provera Meningioma Risk Study
• Xiao T, et al. JAMA Neurol. 2025;82(11):1094-1102 — U.S. Meningioma Risk Study
• FDA NDA 020246, Supplement 74 — December 2025 Warning Label Update
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Every case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Past settlement amounts and case outcomes do not guarantee similar results in your case. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction who can evaluate your specific situation.