Depo-Provera and Meningiomas: Pritzker Hageman’s All-Female Legal Team is Fighting for You

For decades, Depo-Provera has been marketed as a convenient and effective form of birth control. Millions of women, trusting in the safety and efficacy of this “birth control shot,” opted for its long-lasting protection. But scientific studies going back as far as 1983 have revealed a deeply concerning truth: long-term use of Depo-Provera is linked to an increased risk of developing meningiomas, which are tumors that form on the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These tumors can press on and damage brain tissue and nerves and can require risky surgery to remove.

If you or a loved one used Depo-Provera and were subsequently diagnosed with meningioma, you’re not alone. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and you deserve justice. The all-female legal team at Pritzker Hageman, led by attorneys Alicia Penner and Morgan Vanden Heuvel, is here to fight for your rights.

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Why an All-Female Legal Team Can Matter

When your health and well-being have been compromised, you need lawyers who understand your experiences. Alicia Penner and Morgan Vanden Heuvel, along with their dedicated paralegal Wendy Thayer, bring a fundamental understanding of these cases. They are skilled attorneys with extensive experience handling complex medical cases. They are also women fighting for women. Alicia, Morgan, and Wendy understand the physical and emotional toll a meningioma diagnosis takes, and they are committed to holding pharmaceutical giant Pfizer accountable for failing to warn about the risks associated with Depo-Provera.

“We want people to have awareness that users of Depo-Provera are at risk,” says Morgan Vanden Heuvel. This isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a mission to protect women’s health and ensure that no one else has to endure the devastating consequences of a drug that was falsely marketed as safe.

Attorney Alicia Penner

Alicia Penner advocates tirelessly for women harmed by Depo-Provera and other defective pharmaceuticals and devices. Alicia has extensive experience and success pursuing compensation on behalf of our clients injured by medical products produced by some of the biggest companies in the world. She handles cases that involve the most highly complex areas of law and medicine.

Attorney Morgan Vanden Heuvel

When the negligence of big medical companies leads to serious injury Morgan Vanden Heuvel works tirelessly to get our clients the compensation and justice they deserve. When a defective product has led to the death of a loved one, Morgan pursues justice for them and their family and makes sure the wrongdoers are held accountable. Legal actions she has worked on include huge cases involving thousands of people injured by medical devices and product contamination.

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The Depo-Provera Meningioma Connection

Depo-Provera is a hormonal contraceptive administered via injection every three months. It contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of progesterone, at doses 1,000 times higher than standard oral contraceptives. While typically effective in preventing pregnancy, this extremely high dose has been linked to serious health risks, including the development of meningiomas.

What Are Meningiomas?

Meningiomas are tumors that grow on the meninges – the protective layers surrounding your brain and spinal cord. While often classified as “benign” (non-cancerous), their location can cause significant, life-altering complications, including:

• Vision disturbances or vision loss
• Seizures
• Cognitive decline
• Debilitating headaches
• Paralysis or other neurological impairments
• Speech difficulties
• Hearing loss

Treatment for meningiomas often involves risky surgery on the brain or spinal cord, which can lead to further complications and long-term health problems, such as an increased risk of stroke. Even after successful removal, patients may face ongoing neurological deficits and a heightened risk of tumor recurrence.

The Scientific Evidence Is Clear

A landmark study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in March 2024 revealed a shocking statistic: women who used Depo-Provera for over a year had a 5.5 times higher risk of developing meningiomas compared to non-users. This study helped bring attention to research dating back to 1983 – research that Depo-Provera manufacturer Pfizer had a duty to consider – that the progesterone compound in Depo-Provera could be dangerous. Forty years of research had pointed towards synthetic progesterone in Depo-Provera possibly promoting tumor growth in meninges cells with high progesterone receptor density. The longer a woman uses Depo-Provera, the greater her risk becomes.

Pfizer’s Failure to Warn: A Breach of Trust

Despite the obvious health risks, high-dose “depo-shots’’ are still being sold in the United States with no updated warning labels, said attorneys Penner and Vanden Heuvel. The two lawyers are part of an all-female team at Pritzker Hageman dedicated to protecting women’s health.

“We want people to have awareness that users of Depo-Provera are at risk,’’ Vanden Heuvel said.

Fraudulent concealment of medical risk is one of the allegations against Pfizer and other companies being sued by victims. For instance, Penner said the woman currently represented by Pritzker Hageman took Depo-Provera for 12 years before her first brain tumor was detected. She would have stopped taking it before three additional tumors formed had she known about the link.

“The lack of any warning makes this particularly egregious,’ Penner said. “The longer you take it the more likely it is that you will develop a brain tumor.’’

In Canada, updated product information mentions the risk of brain tumors. In Europe, updated labeling on the “depo-shots’’ is even more extensive.

Vulnerable Populations at Increased Risk

Depo-Provera has often been administered at Planned Parenthood locations and marketed to women with limited access to healthcare resources. This means that vulnerable populations, including minority groups who may face systemic barriers to healthcare, are disproportionately at risk. The failure to adequately warn these women about the potential dangers of Depo-Provera is a social justice issue, and Pritzker Hageman is committed to fighting for these often-overlooked victims.

You Have Rights: Filing a Depo-Provera Lawsuit

If you took at least two injections of Depo-Provera (or its generic equivalent) and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Pfizer and potentially other manufacturers.

Who Can File a Claim?

Individuals who used Depo-Provera, Depo-SubQ Provera 104 (a lower-dose, self-injectable version), or a generic version of Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) for at least two injections and were then diagnosed with a meningioma or other brain/spine tumor.

Generic Manufacturers May Also Be Liable

While typically generic drug manufacturers are shielded from liability due to federal laws, there may be exceptions in the case of Depo-Provera. Pritzker Hageman is investigating claims against generic manufacturers, including Greenstone, Viatris, and Prasco Laboratories, due to their close ties to Pfizer.

Furthermore, the legal concept of “innovator liability,” recognized in California and Massachusetts, allows lawsuits against generic manufacturers in certain circumstances. This means that even if you used a generic version of Depo-Provera, you may still have a strong case.

Potential Compensation

If you’ve been diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Including surgeries, radiation therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
• Lost income: Due to your inability to work, both past and future.
• Pain and suffering: For the physical and emotional distress caused by your diagnosis and treatment.
• Emotional distress: Including anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts.

Why Choose Pritzker Hageman?

Pritzker Hageman is a nationally recognized law firm with a proven track record of success in complex product liability cases. Their defective product legal team has a reputation for taking on powerful corporations and winning. The firm has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for their clients, including a recent $45 million verdict.

When you choose Pritzker Hageman, you’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re gaining a team of dedicated advocates who will fight tirelessly for your rights. They operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.

The Time to Act Is Now

There are currently 45 cases filed in California against Pfizer regarding the company’s negligence. There is a strong likelihood that the lawsuits against Pfizer will be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). This means a single judge will oversee pretrial proceedings, such as discovery and motions, to streamline the process.

Vanden Heuvel said the court system in California is expected to decide early in 2025 whether to consolidate the lawsuits. But women who took at least two injections and developed a meningioma still have time to get a lawyer and join the litigation. It’s very early in the mass tort stage. However, the statute of limitations – the time limit for filing a lawsuit – varies by state. It’s crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.

Don’t Wait, Take Action Today

If you or a loved one has suffered from a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, contact Pritzker Hageman for a free consultation. Let Alicia Penner, Morgan Vanden Heuvel, and their team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. They are ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and guide you through the legal process every step of the way.

“These lawsuits are important,” says Vanden Heuvel. “Getting compensation to victims is critical, but more than that, these lawsuits are also a mechanism of change. By holding Pfizer accountable, you can help prevent other women from suffering the same devastating consequences.”

If you or someone you know took at least two injections of Depo-Provera, or the generic equivalent, and were later diagnosed with meningioma, you could have a claim against the drug maker. To pursue a recovery, contact the Depo-Provera team at Pritzker Hageman.

Your voice matters, and Alicia, Morgan, and Wendy are here to make sure you are heard.