DEPO PROVERA LAWSUIT LAWYERS

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is a hormonal contraceptive that uses the synthetic hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate to mimic the naturally-occurring hormone progesterone. It is delivered by injection (often into the upper arm or buttock) and is designed to prevent pregnancy for 12 to 14 weeks.

It thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, halts ovulation (the release of the egg), and suppresses the growth of the uterine lining that a fertilized egg would attach to if it were fertilized. Thus, receiving the injection becomes an event that only needs to be scheduled a few times each year: an easy and reliable solution if you are someone who fears that you may neglect to maintain the regimen required to get full benefit from other forms of birth control. 

However, it takes two readings of this particular bit of news about Depo-Provera to elevate its level of alarm from orange to red. The first read-through to get one’s head around what’s going on right here; the second reading to panic about future implications. Is Depo-Provera a health time bomb? It’s bad enough to learn this. It’s even worse to realize that around the world, millions of women have—and, quite likely, continue to—use Depo-Provera. A class-action suit in New York, if it comes to that (and why wouldn’t it?), could rock Big Pharma.

The Research Linking Depo-Provera to Brain Tumors

There is new emerging research on the use of a popular shot, Depo-Provera, and an associated increased risk of meningiomas, or tumors that can develop in the protective tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. This finding is one to pay attention to, because of course we will find it rather unsettling that the very thing (synthetic progesterone) that is intended to cause you some good in preventing an unwanted issue (pregnancy) may, in fact, put you at an increased risk of developing brain tumors.

Understanding Meningiomas

Meningiomas are tumors that come from the meninges, which are the layers that line the brain and spinal cord. They are, for the most part, benign tumors that can be many different sizes, in many different locations, and have a different impact on health. As the meningiomas grow, they can push on other, normal brain structures, which can lead to problems.

Common symptoms are headaches that do not seem to go away, trouble with vision and ringing in the ears or even hearing loss. People may also have seizures, feel mentally confused or lose bone density, which can be a sign of advanced disease if the skull bone is affected.

The weakness or lack of coordination (ataxia) that the patient may be experiencing comes from the presence of the tumor pushing or rubbing up against the cerebellum. Once the tumor has been removed, then these symptoms should lessen significantly and/or disappear altogether.

There is discussion now about the sort of brain tumor—meningiomas—sometimes caused by Depo-Provera. I say popular because, let’s face it, Depo-Provera is very convenient, and it is effective, but it’s important to know if it might cause a life-threatening illness.

Legal Implications and Ongoing Litigation

There are lawsuits against Pfizer for Depo-Provera, claiming that the drug may have severe side effects and have a significant risk profile that women were not properly warned about. This increases the number of plaintiffs and thus the size of any potential verdict and indirectly a major commercial threat to other pharmaceutical manufacturers with the same drug.

What can I recover?

While nothing can undo the harm caused by an injury, the law allows you to seek compensation for your losses through a pharmaceutical injury lawsuit.

In a civil court, when a lawsuit is filed, the individual bringing the case (the plaintiff) may be entitled to damages if successful. These damages can be categorized into two types:

Economic Damages: These are the financial losses directly resulting from the injury, such as medical expenses, therapy bills, lost wages, or other out-of-pocket costs.

Non-Economic Damages: These include compensation for intangible losses, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life, both in the past and moving forward. These damages account for the physical and mental toll the injury has taken on the plaintiff's life.

If you’ve suffered injury due to someone else's negligence, it’s important to understand the potential for recovery and the types of damages you may be entitled to pursue in court.

Contact Us

Navigating the complexities of pharmaceutical injury law requires not just expertise but a deep understanding of the profound physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can have on individuals and families. At GGH, we offer decades of experience, combined with a strong commitment to helping those harmed by dangerous or defective drugs. We believe everyone deserves to feel safe and supported in their healthcare choices, and those responsible for pharmaceutical harm must be held accountable.

Our GGH team is dedicated to securing justice for victims of pharmaceutical negligence. Whether you’ve been affected by a defective medication, incorrect dosage, harmful side effects, or any other drug-related injury, we are here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact GGH Today for a free consultation at (312) 728-7444 or contact us online.