Women deserve the right to make choices about their health, but only through full and accurate warnings and drug information can any woman make the decision that’s right for her. Women who aren’t properly informed about the risks of their birth control medications could be taking on serious health risks without even knowing it. That, along with the severe harm that has been linked to birth control injections in the form of an increased risk of brain tumors, is one concern with the Depo-Provera lawsuits that are already proceeding.
At Anapol Weiss, our law firm is committed to protecting women’s legal rights and interests, and that includes holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for failures to provide complete information about the side effects and health risks of medications like the Depo-Provera birth control injection. In October 2024, The Women’s Health Litigation Team at Anapol Weiss filed a lawsuit against Pfizer on behalf of a woman who used Depo-Provera for a prolonged period and developed a brain tumor.
Informed Consent in Contraceptive Use
Virtually every medication poses some form of risk, whether it’s the potential for mildly inconvenient side effects or the risk of serious adverse events. A given prescription drug may not be an appropriate choice for patients with certain medical conditions or risk factors, as well as those who are already taking certain other medications.
Because there is no one medication that’s right for every patient, it’s crucial that patients and their doctors have sufficient information to make decisions. Without this information, it’s not possible to accurately weigh the risks and benefits and determine whether a specific medication is right for you.
Fully understanding the potential consequences before granting permission for any form of medical intervention, including taking birth control medications, is considered informed consent. Informed consent is an important part of a healthcare system that prioritizes autonomy.
Women today have a variety of choices when it comes to managing their contraceptive needs. The medical advances that have allowed for this variety are advantageous in that they offer patients more freedom of choice in their own medical care. However, with the range of pharmaceutical birth control options on the market, each of which offers its own benefits and poses its own risks, informed consent is even more important. A woman who is fully informed about her birth control choices and their benefits and risks can decide for herself what risks she’s comfortable with and what benefits are most worthwhile to her.
Daily oral contraceptive pills are the most widely prescribed form of birth control in the United States, with a decades-long history of use, StatPearls reported. For many women, Depo-Provera injections were recommended for the convenience of not having to remember to take a pill at the same time each day. However, if patients were aware that these more convenient methods of contraception also posed serious health risks, they may have made different choices regarding their birth control options.
Failure to Warn About Depo-Provera Risks
Crucial to the Depo-Provera lawsuits now proceeding is the failure of pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer to warn both patients and healthcare providers of the drug’s risks. Comprehensive warnings are essential for establishing informed consent, yet it wasn’t until the birth control injection had been on the market for more than 30 years that the health issue that’s behind the current wave of Depo-Provera lawsuits was revealed by the findings of a research team.
The study, conducted by a team of French researchers, was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in March 2024. In a large-scale study that encompassed more than 100,000 women, researchers determined that using Depo-Provera birth control injections for a year or longer increases the risk of developing meningiomas by a statistically significant percentage.
Through the lawsuits that are currently underway, women injured by the birth control medication can hold pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for inadequately communicating Depo-Provera's risks.
In its April 2024 response, Pfizer stated that it was “aware” of the potential risk and would be updating labels and warnings. For the women who have already suffered harm as a result of brain tumors developed after taking Depo-Provera, this action comes too late.
Can You Hold Pharmaceutical Companies Liable for Failure to Warn About Depo-Provera Health Risks?
Through a pharmaceutical liability lawsuit, it’s possible for women who have developed meningiomas after taking Depo-Provera to hold the company accountable for the failure to communicate the risks of the drug.
Anapol Weiss assists women with pursuing claims and recovering compensation for the serious harm resulting from brain tumors, including:
- The injuries, including neurological deficiencies and complications of surgery or radiation therapy, that result from developing a brain tumor
- Medical bills pertaining to diagnosing, treating, and recovering from the brain tumor
- Any loss of income associated with the brain tumor, its symptoms, the treatment required to address it, any complications of treatment, your recovery from surgery or radiation treatment, or any permanent disability
- Your pain and suffering
Your future depends on getting the compensation you deserve. The Depo-Provera lawsuit attorneys at Anapol Weiss are prepared to help you recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
What Can You Do If You’ve Developed a Brain Tumor After Using Depo-Provera?
If you believe you may have the grounds for a claim, it’s time to take action. The Depo-Provera lawsuit attorneys at Anapol Weiss are already moving forward in representing women who have suffered brain tumors after using birth control injections. We’re ready to help you hold pharmaceutical manufacturers accountable for taking away your ability to make informed choices about your health.
Representation for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit at No Upfront Cost
Anapol Weiss provides free consultations and representation on a contingency basis. We know that you’ve already been unfairly exposed to serious risks without being able to give informed consent due to the failures of pharmaceutical manufacturers to warn you of the health concerns. We ensure you don’t take on further financial risks by representing you throughout the legal process at no upfront cost. Contingency-based representation removes the risk from the legal process. You pay nothing if we don’t succeed in securing compensation for you, and there are no obstacles standing in the way of moving forward with your claim.
