Depo-Provera Lawsuit 2026 Update: MDL 3140 Status, Deadlines, and What to Do Now

Published: March 20, 2026 9 min read

The Depo-Provera lawsuit is one of the fastest-growing mass tort cases in the country in 2026. More than 1,700 women have already filed claims against Pfizer (and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn) alleging that long-term use of Depo-Provera caused them to develop meningioma — a brain tumor. This is the current status of MDL 3140, the upcoming deadlines you need to know about, and what to do if you think you may have a claim.

Where the Depo-Provera Lawsuit Stands in 2026

The Depo-Provera lawsuit is not a single case — it's a multidistrict litigation (MDL) with thousands of individual plaintiffs whose claims have been consolidated in one federal court for efficiency. MDL 3140 is the official designation. As of April 2026, here's a quick summary:

Key Developments: August 2024 Through April 2026

Understanding why the Depo-Provera lawsuit 2026 update matters requires knowing the events that led here.

August 2024 — FDA Black Box Warning. The FDA added a black box warning to Depo-Provera, its strongest safety alert, explicitly warning that long-term use increases the risk of meningioma. The FDA cited a 2023 French pharmacovigilance study and a BMJ cohort study showing a 5.6x elevated risk in high-dose progestin users. This was the first time the FDA officially acknowledged the drug-meningioma connection in the United States.

Late 2024 — MDL Formation. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated Depo-Provera meningioma cases into MDL 3140 in the Northern District of Illinois. Judge John Z. Lee was assigned to oversee the litigation. The MDL began with a few hundred cases and grew rapidly after the FDA warning attracted media attention.

Early 2025 — Case Growth. The case count climbed through 2025 as law firms across the country filed new cases. Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) attorneys were appointed to coordinate strategy on behalf of all plaintiffs. Defendants filed initial motions but did not seek early dismissal of the case as a whole — a sign that they recognized the science would be difficult to contest entirely.

Mid-2025 — Plaintiff Fact Sheets. The court ordered all plaintiffs to complete detailed Plaintiff Fact Sheets documenting their Depo-Provera use history, medical timeline, and claimed damages. This data is being used to organize the case pool and identify the strongest bellwether candidates.

Late 2025 to Early 2026 — Bellwether Selection Begins. The PSC and defendants' counsel began identifying candidate cases for the first round of bellwether (test) trials. Bellwether trials are a standard step in large MDLs that helps both sides understand how juries will respond to the evidence — and sets the stage for settlement negotiations.

April 2026 — Present Day. The litigation is in active discovery. New cases are still being filed. The statute of limitations window for many women is open but narrowing.

MDL 3140 Current Status: April 2026

MDL 3140 is in the most critical pretrial phase. Here's what's happening right now:

Bellwether Trial Selection

The parties are finalizing the pool of bellwether (test) cases. These are representative cases that will go to trial first and produce the verdicts that both sides use to estimate the value of remaining cases for global settlement purposes. Expect the first trials in late 2026 or 2027.

Expert Discovery

Plaintiffs' experts are developing testimony linking Depo-Provera's medroxyprogesterone acetate content to meningioma growth at the molecular level. Defendants' experts are preparing to challenge the epidemiological and causation evidence. The Daubert hearing — where the judge decides which experts can testify — will be one of the most consequential moments in the litigation.

Discovery Disputes

Pfizer/Pharmacia are resisting production of internal documents related to what the company knew about meningioma risk and when. These internal communications are critical evidence. Discovery battles over these documents are ongoing.

No Settlement Yet — But the Timeline Is Normal

Defendants in large pharmaceutical MDLs almost never settle before bellwether trials. The absence of a settlement offer in early 2026 is not a sign of a weak case — it's the standard litigation rhythm. Settlement negotiations in cases like this typically begin after at least one bellwether verdict. For Depo-Provera, that's likely late 2027 at the earliest.

Filing Deadlines: Why 2026 Matters

The statute of limitations (the legal deadline to file a lawsuit) is state-specific and varies from 2 to 3 years in most states. The key question is: when did the clock start running for you?

In most product liability cases, the clock starts from the date you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — that the product caused your injury. For many Depo-Provera users, attorneys argue the discovery date is August 2024, when the FDA issued the black box warning that publicly linked Depo-Provera to meningioma.

That means:

• States with a 2-year discovery rule: deadline could be as early as August 2026
• States with a 3-year discovery rule: deadline could be August 2027
• Some states have different rules, different discovery trigger dates, or exception provisions for latent injuries

This means some women who used Depo-Provera are already approaching or past their legal deadline. The time to act is now, not after the settlement is announced.

This is not legal advice. An attorney can evaluate your specific diagnosis date, state, and use history to determine whether you still have time to file. Use our free eligibility checker as a first step.

For state-specific deadline information, see our guide: Depo-Provera Statute of Limitations by State.

Who Qualifies to File in the Depo-Provera Lawsuit in 2026

Qualification criteria are not fixed by the court — they are assessed case-by-case. However, the strongest Depo-Provera cases in 2026 generally involve:

• Use duration of 2+ years: The risk evidence is strongest for women who used Depo-Provera continuously for two or more years. Shorter use periods may still qualify, but the case is harder to build.
• Meningioma diagnosis: The current litigation specifically targets meningioma. Other side effects may be the basis for separate legal theories, but the MDL 3140 litigation is focused on meningioma claims.
• Timing of use and diagnosis: Most cases involve women who used Depo-Provera in the 1990s–2010s. Diagnosis can be recent — meningiomas take years to develop.
• Documented medical history: Medical records confirming both Depo-Provera use and meningioma diagnosis are essential. Records may be obtainable even if you don't currently have them.
• Statute of limitations not expired: You must still be within your state's filing window.

You do not need to have had surgery to qualify. Even if your meningioma is being monitored (not yet requiring surgery), you may still have a valid claim for the cost of medical monitoring, anxiety, and risk of future treatment.

For a detailed qualification checklist, see: Do I Qualify for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

What to Do Right Now

If you used Depo-Provera for two or more years and have been diagnosed with meningioma, here are the most important steps to take in 2026:

1. Get a current MRI. If you haven't had brain imaging recently and you have symptoms (headaches, vision changes, cognitive changes), see your doctor and ask for an MRI with contrast. Early detection matters.

2. Request your medical records. Contact all providers who administered your Depo-Provera injections and your treating physicians for your meningioma. These records are the foundation of any legal claim. See our medical records checklist for guidance.

3. Contact an attorney. Mass tort attorneys who handle Depo-Provera cases work on contingency — no upfront fees. They can evaluate your case, determine whether your state's deadline has passed, and advise on filing. Many firms offer free consultations.

4. Act before the deadline. The statute of limitations is real. Don't assume you have years of runway — some women with August 2026 deadlines are already running out of time.

For the step-by-step process of filing, read our guide: How to File a Depo-Provera Claim. For an overview of how MDL 3140 works and what it means for your case, see: Depo-Provera MDL 3140 Explained.