How to Join the Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Eligibility criteria, filing process, and key deadlines for MDL 3140
Last updated: October 1, 2026 | Data sourced from JPML reports and court records
Do You Qualify for the Depo-Provera Lawsuit?
Eligibility criteria vary across law firms participating in MDL 3140. Here is a realistic breakdown of where different situations stand. These tiers describe how firms screen lawsuits. Settlement eligibility is separate: the agreement is confidential, and its no-fee administrative docket is open only to eligible claimants who signed with a lawyer on or before June 11, 2026.
Tier 1: Strongest Qualification
Cases that virtually any firm participating in MDL 3140 would accept for review:
- Confirmed intracranial meningioma diagnosis (MRI or CT confirmed)
- 1+ years of injectable Depo-Provera use (brand name or authorized generics)
- Tumor developed after Depo-Provera use began
- No pre-existing brain tumor before first injection
- Within statute of limitations in your state
→ If all five apply to you, you have a strong basis for a claim.
Tier 2: Likely Qualifies
Cases where most firms would accept for review, but some have narrower criteria:
- ○ Benign brain tumor where specific type has not been confirmed yet (pending further diagnostic workup)
- ○ Authorized generic versions beyond the most common brands (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Viatris, A-S Medication Solutions)
- ○ Use of Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (subcutaneous formulation)
→ You likely qualify but should consult with an attorney who can evaluate your specific situation.
Tier 3: May Face Challenges
Cases where acceptance varies significantly or specific legal hurdles exist:
- △ Exposure less than 12 months but more than one injection (causation harder to establish)
- △ Spinal meningioma rather than intracranial (some firms exclude these)
- △ Residents of states with short statutes of limitations (Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas)
- △ Medical records documenting injections are incomplete or unavailable
- △ Diagnosis several years after stopping Depo-Provera (some claimants are ineligible for the settlement because of diagnosis timing relative to last use)
→ These situations do not automatically disqualify you, but require a legal professional to assess.
Free eligibility screening for Depo-Provera MDL 3140
Depo-Provera Litigation at a Glance
| MDL Number | 3140 |
| Court | Northern District of Florida |
| Presiding Judge | Hon. M. Casey Rodgers |
| Primary Defendant | Pfizer, Inc. |
| Status | Master Settlement Agreement signed July 21, 2026; registration deadline November 30, 2026 for eligible claimants (CMO 14); preemption ruling postponed (PTO 30A) |
Source: JPML statistical reports, N.D. Florida court records
What This Lawsuit Is About
Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a synthetic progestin. In March 2024, a study published in the BMJ found a 5.6x increased risk of intracranial meningioma (a type of brain tumor) with prolonged Depo-Provera use exceeding one year.
A subsequent study published in JAMA Neurology in November 2025 confirmed increased risk, particularly with exposures exceeding four years. Lawsuits allege Pfizer knew or should have known about the meningioma risk and failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers for decades.
In December 2025, the FDA approved updated warning label language for Depo-Provera acknowledging the meningioma risk. The new label advises healthcare providers to monitor patients and discontinue the drug if a meningioma is diagnosed.
Important: This is a multidistrict litigation (MDL), not a class action. Each plaintiff maintains an individual case while common pretrial issues are handled together. Learn more about MDL vs. class action →
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
1 Which Formulations Count?
Depo-Provera 150mg (intramuscular): The primary product at issue. Universally accepted across firms.
Greenstone & Prasco generics: Same formulation, different labels. Widely accepted.
Other generic distributors: Pharmacia & Upjohn, Viatris, A-S Medication Solutions. Some firms include these, others do not.
Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (subcutaneous): Same active ingredient, lower dose. Some firms include this, others focus only on the intramuscular version.
Oral Provera tablets: NOT part of MDL 3140. Lawsuits are specific to the injectable formulation.
2 How Long Is Long Enough?
12+ months: Aligns with the BMJ study threshold. Most firms use this as their baseline requirement.
4+ years: The JAMA Neurology study found increased risk specifically with this duration. Strongest causation argument.
Less than 12 months (multiple injections): A gray area. Some firms accept these; causation is harder to establish.
Single injection only: Generally not accepted. Below the minimum exposure threshold in clinical literature.
3 What Tumors Qualify?
Intracranial meningioma (Grade I, II, or III): The core qualifying diagnosis. Confirmed by MRI or CT. All grades qualify.
Benign brain tumor, type not confirmed: Some firms accept pending further diagnostic workup; others require confirmed meningioma.
Spinal meningioma: Notable split among firms. Some exclude entirely; others evaluate case by case.
Other brain tumor types (glioma, schwannoma): NOT part of the current litigation. MDL 3140 is specific to meningioma.
4 Timing & Causation
Meningioma must have been diagnosed after Depo-Provera use began. Pre-existing brain tumors before first injection disqualify the case.
Diagnosis years after stopping Depo-Provera does happen, because meningiomas are slow-growing and often discovered incidentally. But timing matters for the settlement: under CMO 14, plaintiffs who are ineligible because of diagnosis timing relative to last use ("Latency") are a separate group.
Factors that may complicate causation: Neurofibromatosis Type 2, prior head/neck radiation therapy, other hormonal therapies. These do not automatically disqualify but require expert evaluation.
5 Statute of Limitations
Personal injury statutes of limitations vary by state, commonly ranging from 1 to 6 years.
Most states apply a "discovery rule" for pharmaceutical injuries: the clock starts when you knew or should have known about the connection, not when the injury occurred.
Timing is contested in this MDL. Under CMO 14 (August 10, 2026), new filers diagnosed before March 27, 2024 must file a statute-of-limitations certification within 30 days, and plaintiffs ineligible for the settlement because of their filing date ("Limitations") are a separate group.
States with potential challenges: some states, including Kentucky and Tennessee, have one-year limitations periods for personal-injury claims. Filing windows may have already closed under conservative interpretations.
Not sure where your situation falls?
Check Your EligibilityHow to File a Claim: Step-by-Step
1 Confirm Your Eligibility
- Review the tiered qualification framework above
- Use MDL Update's eligibility screening tool
- Gather basic information: dates of injections, date of diagnosis, diagnosing facility
2 Consult with a Mass Tort Attorney
- Free consultations are standard in mass tort litigation (contingency fee basis)
- Look for attorneys with specific Depo-Provera MDL experience
- Ask: Are they participating in MDL 3140 leadership? What is their contingency fee (typically 33-40%)?
- How to choose an MDL attorney →
3 Gather Required Documentation
- Medical records: Injection administration dates and dosages
- Diagnostic imaging: MRI or CT scan confirming meningioma
- Pathology reports: If biopsy or surgery was performed
- Pharmacy records: Spanning full period of Depo-Provera use
- Insurance records: EOB statements documenting injection coverage
- Surgical records: Operative notes if craniotomy was performed
Note: The BrownGreer MDL Centrality system requires proof of use and injury submitted within 120 days of filing.
4 Your Attorney Files the Case
- Complaint filed in federal court, then transferred to MDL 3140 in N.D. Florida
- Direct filing procedures are available (no need to file in originating court first)
- You receive a unique plaintiff ID number in the BrownGreer tracking system
- 120-day clock starts for proof questionnaire submission
5 The MDL Process Proceeds
- Your individual case is maintained while common questions are addressed across the MDL
- You are not expected to appear in court during pretrial proceedings
- On June 15, 2026 the parties reported a global settlement in principle and the first bellwether trial (was Dec 7, 2026) was vacated; the Master Settlement Agreement was signed July 21, 2026
- The settlement's terms are confidential. Its no-fee administrative docket is open only to eligible claimants who signed with a lawyer on or before June 11, 2026, who must register by November 30, 2026 (CMO 14)
- If you sign with a lawyer now, your case would proceed in litigation: under CMO 14, newly filed plaintiffs must send records-preservation notices within 60 days, serve case-specific expert reports within 90 days, mediate, and attend an in-person conference in Pensacola
Key Dates & Deadlines
What Could Your Case Be Worth?
The Honest Truth
As of October 2026, the parties have signed a Master Settlement Agreement (July 21, 2026), but its terms are private and confidential and no amount has been disclosed. Pfizer's second-quarter 10-Q describes the terms as "not material to the Company's liquidity or financial condition." No bellwether trial has taken place. Any per-case projections are speculative.
What we can say: BrownGreer PLC is the Settlement Administrator (CMO 13), and CMOs 15–17 name Matt Garretson to allocate a Supplemental Compensation Fund. Payments are expected to begin rolling out by the first quarter of 2027 (CMO 12). Under Common Benefit Order 2, a 7% common benefit assessment is taken only from lawyers' fees.
What we refuse to do: Publish specific dollar ranges presented as expected outcomes. The dollar figures you see on law firm websites are not sourced from actual settlements or verdicts in this litigation. Ask your attorney for a realistic assessment based on your specific circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for the Depo-Provera lawsuit?
There is no single "sign up" form for the lawsuit itself. Start by reviewing the tiered qualification framework above, then use our eligibility screening tool. From there, consult with a mass tort attorney participating in MDL 3140 who can evaluate your case and file on your behalf. Note that the settlement is open only to eligible claimants who signed with a lawyer on or before June 11, 2026; people who sign with a lawyer now would pursue their claims through litigation.
Is the Depo-Provera lawsuit a class action?
No. It is a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Each plaintiff maintains an individual case while common pretrial issues are handled together. Learn more about MDL vs. class action →
How many Depo-Provera cases have been filed?
As of the October 1, 2026 JPML report, there are 6,412 pending cases in MDL 3140, up from 78 in March 2025, shortly after the MDL formed. View the full case page →
Can I join if I used a generic version?
It depends on the manufacturer. Greenstone and Prasco authorized generics are widely accepted (Tier 1). Other generic distributors are accepted by many firms but not all (Tier 2). Your pharmacy records or insurance EOB statements should identify the distributor.
Is there a deadline to file?
Statutes of limitations vary by state, commonly 1 to 6 years. The "discovery rule" may extend this in some states, but timing is contested in this MDL: CMO 14 requires new filers diagnosed before March 27, 2024 to file a statute-of-limitations certification within 30 days. Separately, eligible claimants in the settlement must register by November 30, 2026. Consulting an attorney promptly is advisable.
What documents do I need?
Medical records documenting injections, diagnostic imaging (MRI/CT) confirming meningioma, pathology reports if applicable, pharmacy records, and insurance EOBs. Your attorney will guide you through gathering these documents.
Does filing cost anything?
Mass tort attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning no upfront fees. Attorney fees (usually 33-40% of any recovery) are only collected if compensation is obtained. Case expenses are typically advanced by the law firm.
What if I was diagnosed years ago but just learned about the lawsuit?
Many plaintiffs were diagnosed before the Depo-Provera/meningioma connection was publicized. The discovery rule in most states allows the statute of limitations to begin when you knew or should have known about the connection, not when you were diagnosed. In this MDL, new filers diagnosed before March 27, 2024 must file a statute-of-limitations certification within 30 days (CMO 14). An attorney can evaluate your timeline.
What is the FDA's current position?
In December 2025, the FDA approved updated warning label language for Depo-Provera acknowledging the meningioma risk. The new label advises healthcare providers to monitor patients and discontinue the drug if a meningioma is diagnosed.
When is the first trial?
The first pilot trial (Toney v. Pfizer) had been set for December 7, 2026, with four more in January 2027. After the parties reported a global settlement in principle on June 15, 2026, Judge Rodgers vacated the first bellwether trial and moved the Daubert (general-causation) hearing from June 24-25 to July 27, 2026. July 27 was held as a case management conference instead, and CMO 12 set the general-causation hearing for September 18, 2026. CMO 14 (August 10, 2026) stayed all other MDL proceedings.
Related Resources
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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.