MDL Track
MDL 3140
N.D. Fla.
Depo-Provera medroxyprogesterone acetate products liability
3,099 pending
Pharmaceutical · claims focused on contraceptive injection side effects and alleged long-term harms
Defendant
Pfizer Inc.
MDL / Track
MDL 3140
N.D. Fla.
Judge
Judge M. Casey Rodgers
Plaintiffs
roughly 3,110 pending claims (3,099 per JPML's March 2, 2026 report, plus ~11 new filings tracked since)
Bellwether / Trial
Settlement Status
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Case overview
On June 15, 2026, Judge M. Casey Rodgers vacated the first bellwether trial in MDL No. 3140 (In Re: Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation, N.D. Fla.) after Pfizer and plaintiffs' leadership reached a global settlement in principle, though terms remain undisclosed and the deal does not resolve state-court cases. The MDL had grown to 6,294 pending federal actions as of June 1, 2026, with a filing velocity exceeding 1,000 cases monthly. Pfizer's preemption motion remains pending before Judge Rodgers, and a reset general-causation Daubert hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2026, for cases outside the settlement.
Causation Theory
Plaintiffs' causation theory rests on two major epidemiological studies: a March 2024 BMJ case-control study finding 5.55x increased odds of meningioma with injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, and a November 2025 TriNetX study (n=10.4 million) confirming 2.43x relative risk concentrated in patients with greater than four years of exposure or first use after age 31. The biological mechanism centers on progesterone receptor expression in meningioma tissue, with medroxyprogesterone acetate stimulating growth of existing hormone-sensitive tumors rather than initiating de novo malignancy. The FDA approved Pfizer's requested meningioma warning label update on December 17, 2025, stating that cases had been reported following repeated administration, primarily with long-term use.
Case Management Orders
Litigation status
Pfizer and plaintiffs' leadership reached a global settlement in principle on June 15, 2026, covering a majority of MDL 3140 claims before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida. The confidential Master Settlement Agreement was signed July 21, 2026. The court vacated the December 2026 bellwether trial and held the general causation/Rule 702 hearing on September 18, 2026, for opt-out and ineligible cases; no ruling had been posted as of September 24, 2026.
MDL Track
MDL 3140
N.D. Fla.
Depo-Provera medroxyprogesterone acetate products liability
3,099 pending
State Court Activity
725+ pending across NY (129), Delaware (410), California (118), Connecticut (13 cases; 76 plaintiffs), Minnesota (72 cases; 6,899 plaintiffs), Illinois (12), New Mexico (2), New Hampshire (1), Washington (1), Wisconsin (1)
MDL 3140 Leadership
Plaintiff Leadership
Lead Counsel
Co-Lead Counsel
Liaison Counsel
Defense Leadership
Liaison Counsel
Geographic exposure
Over 5,549 federal cases in MDL No. 3140 as of May 2026, with 550+ additional cases in Delaware, New York, and California state courts. Thousands of additional unfiled claims held by plaintiffs' counsel pending June 2026 Daubert outcome. U.S. label warning for meningioma not added until December 2025—more than 30 years post-approval—following earlier European and Canadian regulatory mandates. Long-term use (5+ years) of Depo-Provera or generic depot medroxyprogesterone acetate implicated. Equitable tolling and fraudulent concealment theories may preserve claims for use dating back 10+ years depending on state SOL.
MDL No. 3140 (Depo-Provera Products Liability Litigation) centralized before Judge M. Casey Rodgers; 5,549 federal cases pending as of May 14, 2026. Daubert hearing on general causation scheduled June 24-26, 2026. Docket: 3:25-cv-00132 (Light v. Pfizer), 3:25-cv-00091 (Lawson v. Pfizer).
340 state court cases pending as of May 2026 per litigation tracking.
119 state court cases pending as of May 2026. Defendants Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn, and Pharmacia LLC supported SDNY as alternative transferee forum during MDL centralization proceedings.
91 state court cases pending as of May 2026. Central District of California (Fazio, White) and Northern District of California (Valera-Arceo) were among original 28 actions before MDL centralization; one N.D. Cal. action voluntarily dismissed February 4, 2025.
District of Massachusetts was proposed transferee forum in initial centralization motions. Defendant Prasco objected to Massachusetts as MDL site.
District of New Jersey was proposed transferee forum in initial centralization motions.
Proposed transferee forum in initial centralization motions.
Key defendants
Pfizer Inc.
Role: Manufacturer, NDA Holder
Primary target in MDL 3:25-md-03140 before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in N.D. Fla. Pushing preemption defense; Daubert hearings in spring 2025 largely preserved plaintiffs' expert testimony. Core exposure on failure-to-warn claims for meningioma risk.
Viatris Inc.
Role: Manufacturer
Named in MDL and individual complaints including 3:24-cv-06875-LB (N.D. Cal.). Co-defendant with Pfizer; litigation posture appears coordinated with Pfizer defense.
Prasco Laboratories
Role: Authorized Generic Manufacturer
Named defendant in 3:24-cv-06875-LB and MDL. Holds 'sizeable' U.S. market share per complaint. Smaller exposure profile than Pfizer/Viatris.
| Defendant | Role | Intelligence Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc. | Manufacturer, NDA Holder | Primary target in MDL 3:25-md-03140 before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in N.D. Fla. Pushing preemption defense; Daubert hearings in spring 2025 largely preserved plaintiffs' expert testimony. Core exposure on failure-to-warn claims for meningioma risk. |
| Viatris Inc. | Manufacturer | Named in MDL and individual complaints including 3:24-cv-06875-LB (N.D. Cal.). Co-defendant with Pfizer; litigation posture appears coordinated with Pfizer defense. |
| Prasco Laboratories | Authorized Generic Manufacturer | Named defendant in 3:24-cv-06875-LB and MDL. Holds 'sizeable' U.S. market share per complaint. Smaller exposure profile than Pfizer/Viatris. |
Timeline
FDA Approves Depo-Provera Contraceptive
FDA approves Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) for use as a contraceptive in the United States after three prior denials. Label includes bone density warnings but no meningioma disclosure.
FDA Mandates Black Box Warning for Bone Loss
FDA requires Pfizer to add black box warning to Depo-Provera label regarding significant bone mineral density loss, recommending use not exceed two years unless alternatives are inadequate.
First MDL Formed for Bone Loss Claims
JPML consolidates federal Depo-Provera bone density lawsuits into MDL in Western District of Texas. MDL closes in 2013 after defense verdicts in bellwether trials and individual settlements or dismissals.
BMJ Publishes Meningioma Risk Study
French case-control study published in British Medical Journal finds 5.55-fold increased risk of intracranial meningioma among long-term medroxyprogesterone acetate users, catalyzing new litigation wave.
First Meningioma Lawsuit Filed
Initial Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuit filed by woman who used drug from 2005 to 2021. Additional filings follow rapidly as law firms investigate claims nationwide.
JPML Creates MDL No. 3140
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralizes Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits into MDL No. 3140, assigned to Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Northern District of Florida. In re: Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation, 3:25-md-03140.
FDA Adds U.S. Meningioma Warning
FDA approves Pfizer-requested label change adding first-ever U.S. meningioma warning to Depo-Provera prescribing information. Warning states cases reported following repeated long-term administration and mandates discontinuation upon diagnosis.
Judge Rodgers Orders Bellwether Schedule
Judge Rodgers enters case management order establishing five pilot cases for bellwether trials, with first trial (Toney v. Pfizer) set for December 7, 2026, and four additional trials for January 2027. In re: Depo-Provera, 3:25-md-03140.
Global Settlement in Principle Reached
Parties report global settlement in principle for majority of MDL and New York state court claims. Judge Rodgers vacates December 2026 bellwether trial and resets general causation Daubert hearing to July 27, 2026. In re: Depo-Provera, 3:25-md-03140, ECF No. 660.
Master Settlement Agreement Executed
Parties sign Master Settlement Agreement governing eligibility for approximately 80% of MDL plaintiffs. Case filings reach 6,289 total actions as of July 27, 2026. In re: Depo-Provera, 3:25-md-03140, Case Management Order No. 12.
Statute of limitations
No MDL established for Depo-Provera as of March 2026. First lawsuit filed October 2024. Critical accrual issue: March 2024 BMJ study established Depo-Provera-meningioma link, triggering discovery-rule arguments nationwide. Pfizer faces failure-to-warn claims; no federal preemption defense yet tested. Screen for diagnosis date AND date of discovery of causal link. States with 1-year SOL (KY, LA, TN) present imminent bar risk for pre-2024 diagnoses.
⚠Louisiana
1 year from discovery
Rule: La. Civ. Code art. 3492; discovery rule applies per March 2024 BMJ study establishing causal link
Discovery: Clock starts when plaintiff knew or should have known of Depo-Provera-meningioma connection, not diagnosis date alone
Shortest SOL nationwide; pre-2024 diagnoses at acute bar risk without discovery tolling
⚠Kentucky
1 year from discovery
Rule: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a); discovery rule recognized for latent injuries
Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; March 2024 study triggers new knowledge
One-year window creates immediate intake urgency for any 2024 diagnoses
⚠Tennessee
1 year from discovery
Rule: Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104; discovery rule applies for latent diseases
Discovery: Accrues when injury is discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence
No product liability repose statute; discovery rule critical for pre-2024 Depo use
California
2 years from discovery
Rule: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule codified at § 338
Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its negligent cause; March 2024 study resets clock for many
Large plaintiff pool; courts liberal on discovery rule for pharmaceutical latency
Texas
2 years from discovery
Rule: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; discovery rule applies
Discovery: Accrues when plaintiff knows or should know of injury and its cause in fact
No statutory repose for pharmaceutical claims; 15-year repose for products liability generally inapplicable to failure-to-warn
Florida
4 years from discovery
Rule: Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); discovery rule applies via case law
Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and causal connection; longer window than most states
No product liability repose; favorable for latent pharmaceutical injuries
Missouri
5 years from discovery
Rule: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120; discovery rule applies for latent injuries
Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; among longest SOLs nationally
Extended window reduces immediate bar risk; screen for out-of-state defendants for venue
New York
3 years from discovery
Rule: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5); discovery rule applies for foreign-object and latent disease cases
Discovery: Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; continuous treatment doctrine may toll
No statutory repose; favorable discovery jurisprudence for pharmaceutical claims
| State | SOL | Rule | Discovery Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚠Louisiana | 1 year from discovery | La. Civ. Code art. 3492; discovery rule applies per March 2024 BMJ study establishing causal link | Clock starts when plaintiff knew or should have known of Depo-Provera-meningioma connection, not diagnosis date alone | Shortest SOL nationwide; pre-2024 diagnoses at acute bar risk without discovery tolling |
| ⚠Kentucky | 1 year from discovery | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a); discovery rule recognized for latent injuries | Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; March 2024 study triggers new knowledge | One-year window creates immediate intake urgency for any 2024 diagnoses |
| ⚠Tennessee | 1 year from discovery | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104; discovery rule applies for latent diseases | Accrues when injury is discovered or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence | No product liability repose statute; discovery rule critical for pre-2024 Depo use |
| California | 2 years from discovery | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1; discovery rule codified at § 338 | Accrues upon discovery of injury and its negligent cause; March 2024 study resets clock for many | Large plaintiff pool; courts liberal on discovery rule for pharmaceutical latency |
| Texas | 2 years from discovery | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003; discovery rule applies | Accrues when plaintiff knows or should know of injury and its cause in fact | No statutory repose for pharmaceutical claims; 15-year repose for products liability generally inapplicable to failure-to-warn |
| Florida | 4 years from discovery | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a); discovery rule applies via case law | Accrues upon discovery of injury and causal connection; longer window than most states | No product liability repose; favorable for latent pharmaceutical injuries |
| Missouri | 5 years from discovery | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120; discovery rule applies for latent injuries | Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; among longest SOLs nationally | Extended window reduces immediate bar risk; screen for out-of-state defendants for venue |
| New York | 3 years from discovery | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5); discovery rule applies for foreign-object and latent disease cases | Accrues upon discovery of injury and its cause; continuous treatment doctrine may toll | No statutory repose; favorable discovery jurisprudence for pharmaceutical claims |
Live intelligence
AI litigation brief
Depo-Provera remains early-stage / pre-daubert with 82 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
Pfizer and plaintiffs' leadership reached a global settlement in principle on June 15, 2026, covering a majority of MDL 3140 claims before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida. The confidential Master Settlement Agreement was signed July 21, 2026. The court vacated the December 2026 bellwether trial and held the general causation/Rule 702 hearing on September 18, 2026, for opt-out and ineligible cases; no ruling had been posted as of September 24, 2026.
Key developments
Trajectory
Court filings and press coverage are both active in MDL 3140, pointing to sustained litigation pressure rather than a one-off headline cycle. 6 live sources are contributing current context.
Editorial intelligence
MDL 3140 should stay on the lead docket watch because it is the primary consolidation vehicle for Depo-Provera.
Generated Sep 30, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC
82 events detected
Google News (24)
How Meningioma Diagnoses May Impact Settlement Values - Luverne Journal
Why Is Pfizer (PFE) Settling Depo Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits Now? - simplywall.st
Scoping Out Mass Torts in 2026 - Adam Feldman | Substack
Is The Depo-Provera Meningioma Settlement Reshaping Legal Risk In Pfizer’s Investment Case (PFE)? - Sahm
Vigna Law Group: Trial Work Product Critical in Depo-Provera Cases - WBOC TV
Pfizer (PFE) Reaches Deal Covering About 5,000 Federal Lawsuit Claims - simplywall.st
Legal Bay Pre-Settlement Funding Reports Pfizer Agrees to Settle Depo-Provera Birth Control Litigation - PR Newswire
Connecticut Useful Life Exception to Statute of Repose in Depo-Provera Meningioma Litigations - EIN News
Who Is Eligible—and Who Isn't—for the Depo-Provera Settlement? - Law.com
Judge Says Depo-Provera MDL Settlement Terms Will Be Explained At Town Hall Meeting - Mealey's
What the Depo-Provera Settlement Means for Meningioma Brain Tumor Lawsuits - JD Supra
Vigna Law Group: Bellwether Early Use of Depo-Provera in Focus, 1992-2002 - EIN Presswire
Depo-Provera MDL Judge Grants Motion For New Pilot Cases After Some Cases Settle - Mealey's
Depo-Provera MDL Gets New Lead Plaintiffs After Settlement - law360.com
Depo Provera Lawsuit Settlement (July 2026) - LawFold.com
Latency: Depo-Provera and Meningioma in Focus; California Bellwethers on the Horizon - The National Law Review
Birth Control: Depo-Provera, IUDs Tied to Higher Brain Tumor Risk - Healthline
It’s not just Depo-Provera — study links 5 more birth control drugs to brain tumor risk - New York Post
‘I have an inoperable brain tumour after having the contraceptive jab’ - The Independent
Common Hormonal Contraceptive Linked to Risk of Rare Brain Tumor - ScienceAlert
Pfizer's Depo-Provera Settlement: What Women With Meningioma Need to Know About the June 2026 Agreement - JD Supra
Study Links Several Progestogen Contraceptives to Rare Meningioma Risk, Reinforcing Individualized Patient Counseling - Pharmacy Times
Study Links Several Progestogen Contraceptives to Rare Meningioma Risk, Reinforcing Individualized Patient Counseling - Pharmacy Times – Pharmacy Practice News and Expert Insights
New Evidence Links Progestogen Contraceptives to Brain Tumor Risk - MedPage Today
International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics • Goldstein BH • PMID 42765513 • Journal Article.
Neurosurgical focus • Kshettry VR • PMID 42679391 • Journal Article.
Neurosurgical focus • Kalamarides M • PMID 42679404 • Journal Article.
Neuro-oncology • Gardner PA • PMID 42258618 • Journal Article.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics • Wang K • PMID 42600705 • Journal Article.
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket filed in JPML: Plaintiffs are suing Defendants Pfizer Inc., Viatris Inc., Greenstone LLC, Prasco, LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC, and Pharmacia LLC because of injuries allegedly caused by the drug Depo-Provera. Plaintiff claims that the use of Depo-Provera led to the development of an intracranial meningioma, a t
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from ILSD: NOTICE OF REMOVAL from St. Clair County, case number 2026LA000908 ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AILSDC-6006651), filed by Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - State Court File, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Sullivan, Bart) (Entered: 09/24/2026)
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from FLND: COMPLAINT against PFIZER INC, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN CO LLC, PHARMACIA LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AFLNDC-10053175.), filed by LISA LANCASTER. (LAURICELLA, NOAH) (Entered: 09/17/2026)
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from FLND: COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AFLNDC-10041446.), filed by MARGARET DONNELLAN. (PRESNAL, JUSTIN) (Entered: 09/09/2026)
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from FLND: COMPLAINT against Pfizer Inc, Prasco L L C, Pharmacia & Upjohn Co, Pharmacia L L C, Greenstone L L C, Viatris Inc with Jury Demand (Filing fee $405, receipt number ALAWDC-6972573) filed by Ferreira B Renee, Dennis P Ferreira. (Attachments: # 1 Civil cover sheet)(Attorney Sean Paul Rabalais added to
Case Management Order No. 15: (Appointment of Supplemental Compensation Fund Allocation Master)
CMO filed in MDL 3140.
Case Management Order No. 16: (Appointment of Qualified Settlement Fund Administrator)
CMO filed in MDL 3140.
Case Management Order No. 17: (Appointment of Lien Resolution Administrator)
CMO filed in MDL 3140.
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from FLND: COMPLAINT against PFIZER INC, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN CO LLC, PHARMACIA LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AFLNDC-10038022.), filed by SOPHIA MAYEN. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (SCHULTE, RICHARD) (Entered: 09/04/2026)
Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
PACER docket entry from FLND: COMPLAINT against PFIZER INC, PHARMACIA & UPJOHN CO LLC, PHARMACIA LLC ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AFLNDC-10038007.), filed by NAOMI COLLINS. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (SCHULTE, RICHARD) (Entered: 09/04/2026)
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LexGenius Ranking
92Score
Court, news, and regulatory activity are elevated
Monitoring
Live
monitoring
Last: Sep 30, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC
Next: —
Source Monitoring
PACER
PACER
Google News
FAERS
PubMed
Event feed
82
events detected
AI Brief
Depo-Provera remains early-stage / pre-daubert with 82 current signals in the accepted feed.
Overview
Pfizer and plaintiffs' leadership reached a global settlement in principle on June 15, 2026, covering a majority of MDL 3140 claims before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida. The confidential Master Settlement Agreement was signed July 21, 2026. The court vacated the December 2026 bellwether trial and held the general causation/Rule 702 hearing on September 18, 2026, for opt-out and ineligible cases; no ruling had been posted as of September 24, 2026.
Key developments
PACER court filing on Dec 31: Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation. ‖ Luverne Journal news on Sep 10: How Meningioma Diagnoses May Impact Settlement Values - Luverne Journal. ‖ FAERS FDA alert on Jul 9: FAERS Filing 26945233: Meningioma. ‖ PubMed research on Sep 21: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and the risk for developing an intracranial meningioma..
Generated Sep 30, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC
Tracked MDLs
MDL 3140
N.D. Fla.
Depo-Provera medroxyprogesterone acetate products liability