Date: February 9, 2026 Legal Status: Active Litigation (MDL No. 3140) Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida Key Update: FDA adds “Meningioma” warning to label (Dec 2025)
If you or a loved one used the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera and were later diagnosed with a brain tumor (meningioma), the legal landscape has shifted dramatically in the last 90 days.
Following a groundbreaking study and a quiet but critical FDA label update in late 2025, thousands of women are now filing claims in the newly formed federal litigation. With rumors of large settlements circulating on social media, this guide cuts through the noise to explain exactly who is eligible for MDL 3140, the projected compensation tiers, and what the new warning means for your potential claim.
The “New” FDA Warning (December 2025)
For decades, women used Depo-Provera unaware of the potential neurological risks. That changed officially in December 2025, when the FDA approved a significant label change for Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate).
What Changed?
The FDA added a specific warning to the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the drug’s label regarding the risk of Meningioma—a tumor that forms on the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Why It Matters for Your Case
This label change validates the plaintiffs’ central argument: that Pfizer (the manufacturer) knew or should have known about the link between high-dose progestin and brain tumors but failed to warn American women—even though similar warnings existed in Europe and Canada years earlier. This “Failure to Warn” is the core of the lawsuit.
Depo-Provera Settlement Projections: The Financial Reality
One of the most trending queries is: “What is the average payout for a Depo-Provera lawsuit?”
While there is no global settlement yet, legal analysts and settlement planners have established Projected Settlement Tiers based on similar mass tort cases (such as the Medical Mesh or Tylenol litigations).
Disclaimer: The following figures are estimates based on historical mass tort data. They are not guarantees.
Tier 1: Severe Injury & Surgical Intervention
- Projected Range: $350,000 – $500,000+
- Qualifying Factors:
- Diagnosis of large or multiple meningiomas.
- Required invasive brain surgery (Craniotomy).
- Permanent neurological damage (vision loss, seizures, cognitive deficits).
- Note: Cases involving younger women (under 40) with catastrophic injuries often command the highest values due to “Loss of Enjoyment of Life.”
Tier 2: Moderate Injury
- Projected Range: $150,000 – $300,000
- Qualifying Factors:
- Diagnosis of meningioma requiring surgery or Gamma Knife radiation.
- Successful recovery with some lingering side effects (chronic headaches, minor memory issues).
Tier 3: Mild/Monitoring
- Projected Range: $50,000 – $100,000
- Qualifying Factors:
- Small tumors not requiring immediate surgery (“Watch and Wait” approach).
- Less invasive treatment.
Am I Eligible? (Qualification Checklist 2026)
To join MDL No. 3140 (the federal consolidated lawsuit), claimants generally need to meet specific criteria outlined in the Plaintiff Fact Sheet.
- Proof of Usage: You must have received at least 2 injections of Depo-Provera (brand name), Depo-SubQ Provera 104, or an authorized generic.
- Duration of Use: Stronger cases usually involve use for 1 year or longer.
- Official Diagnosis: A confirmed medical diagnosis of Intracranial Meningioma (benign or malignant) via MRI or CT scan.
- The “Statute” Clock: You typically must have filed your claim within your state’s Statute of Limitations (often 2 years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the link).
MDL 3140 Update: Status of the Litigation
What is MDL 3140? In February 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated all federal Depo-Provera brain tumor cases into MDL No. 3140 in the Northern District of Florida, presided over by Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Why not a Class Action? Unlike a “Class Action” where everyone splits a small pot, an MDL (Multidistrict Litigation) allows each woman to maintain her own individual lawsuit. This is critical because a brain tumor affects every life differently, and your settlement should reflect your specific suffering.
Next Key Date: The court has scheduled the first Bellwether Trial (a test trial) for December 7, 2026. The outcome of this trial will likely set the benchmark for settlement negotiations with Pfizer.
User FAQ: Debunking Reddit Rumors
Q: Is this the same as the “Bone Loss” lawsuit?
A: No. In the early 2000s, there were lawsuits regarding bone density loss. This 2026 litigation is specifically about Meningioma Brain Tumors. If you only suffered bone loss, you likely do not qualify for this specific MDL.
Q: I saw on Reddit that people are getting checks now. Is that true?
A: Be careful. As of February 2026, no global settlements have been paid out for the brain tumor cases. The litigation is still in the “Discovery” phase. Any offers of “instant cash” are likely scams or predatory lawsuit loans.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: You cannot “sign up” on a government website. You must hire a Personal Injury Lawyer specializing in Mass Torts. Most firms work on a Contingency Fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win.
Action Plan: What To Do Now
If you meet the criteria, time is critical.
- Locate Records: Find dates of your injections (ask your OBGYN for “Pharmacy Dispensing Records”).
- Get MRI Proof: You need the radiology report confirming the meningioma.
- Contact an Attorney: Search for “Depo-Provera MDL lawyer” and ensure they are filing cases in the Northern District of Florida.