Depo-Provera Lawsuit: Meningioma MDL Status (2026)

Depo-Provera litigation moved from a handful of early filings to one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical MDLs in the federal system in under two years — and then, unusually quickly for this kind of case, toward a settlement agreed in principle. That speed cuts both ways for anyone trying to understand where things actually stand: this page reflects a genuinely fast-moving situation, more than most in this category.

Quick answer: The federal litigation is MDL No. 3140 before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida (Pensacola), with roughly 6,300 cases pending as of mid-2026. Plaintiffs allege that prolonged use of the injectable birth control Depo-Provera is linked to an increased risk of meningioma. In June 2026, Pfizer agreed in principle to a settlement reportedly intended to resolve around 80% of pending cases, with a court hearing on the settlement held in September 2026 — an agreement in principle is not the same as a finalized, funded settlement. The first bellwether trial, previously scheduled for December 2026, had its deadlines vacated while settlement talks proceeded.

What the Litigation Alleges

Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a long-acting injectable contraceptive, administered roughly every three months. Plaintiffs allege that prolonged, repeated use over years is linked to an increased risk of meningioma — a tumor arising from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are frequently slow-growing and sometimes benign in behavior, but they can still require surgery, cause serious neurological symptoms, or recur, and their treatment and monitoring can extend for years. The core legal claim is a failure to warn: that the manufacturer knew or should have known of this association and did not adequately disclose it to patients and prescribers.

From First Filing to Settlement in Principle

• February 7, 2025 — Cases centralized as MDL No. 3140 before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
• Through 2025 and into 2026 — Case counts grew rapidly, reaching roughly 6,300 pending cases by mid-2026, an unusually fast accumulation for a new pharmaceutical MDL.
• June 2026 — Pfizer agreed in principle to a settlement reported to cover roughly 80% of the pending caseload.
• September 2026 — A court hearing addressed the proposed settlement.
• The first bellwether trial, which had been scheduled for December 2026, had its deadlines vacated while settlement negotiations proceeded — a common sequence when a global resolution looks likely enough that the parties would rather not spend resources preparing a trial that may not happen.

“Agreed in principle” describes a negotiated framework the parties intend to finalize — it is a meaningfully different, and less certain, status than a settlement that has been finalized, documented and funded. Our explainer on how mass tort litigation actually works covers why that distinction matters for every litigation in this category, not just this one.

What You’d Need for a Claim

An attorney evaluating a potential Depo-Provera claim will typically want:

• A meningioma diagnosis, supported by imaging (MRI/CT) and, where applicable, pathology from any surgery or biopsy
• A documented history of Depo-Provera use — duration and frequency of injections, since the alleged risk is tied to prolonged, repeated use rather than short-term or single use
• Prescription and pharmacy records establishing when and how long the medication was used

Sources & Further Reading

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida — official case page for MDL No. 3140, In re: Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation
• See our explainer on how mass tort litigation actually works for what “MDL,” “bellwether trial” and “settlement in principle” mean, and our Roundup litigation guide for another example of how a proposed settlement’s finalization process actually unfolds