MDL 3140: Depo-Provera Meningioma Litigation Tracker
All federal Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits are consolidated in MDL 3140 in the Northern District of Florida. This page tracks key developments, case counts, and what they mean for current and potential claimants.
MDL 3140 — Current Status
- Court: Northern District of Florida
- Judge: M. Casey Rodgers
- Cases filed: 3,099+ (as of March 2026)
- Growth rate: ~47% month-over-month
- Defendant: Pfizer Inc.
- First bellwether trial: December 2026
- Settlement status: No global settlement offered
What Is an MDL?
A Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) is a federal legal process that consolidates similar lawsuits from across the country into one court before one judge. The purpose is efficiency — rather than thousands of individual lawsuits proceeding separately in different states, the common issues (scientific evidence, corporate conduct, expert testimony) are handled once.
Important distinctions:
- An MDL is not a class action. Each plaintiff maintains their own individual case with their own attorney.
- Cases are consolidated for pretrial proceedings only. If the MDL does not result in a settlement, individual cases are sent back to their original courts for trial.
- You do not lose any rights by being part of an MDL. You maintain full control of your individual case.
MDL 3140 Timeline
First Bellwether Trial
The first bellwether trial is scheduled for December 2026. This test case will present evidence to a jury for the first time and is expected to significantly influence settlement negotiations. Both sides are preparing aggressively.
3,099+ Cases — Growth Accelerating
Case filings have increased approximately 47% month-over-month, reflecting growing awareness of the Depo-Provera/meningioma link following the FDA's December 2025 label change. Expert discovery and Daubert challenges are ongoing.
FDA Adds Meningioma Warning
The FDA required Pfizer to add a meningioma risk warning to the Depo-Provera prescribing information. This was a significant development — it acknowledges the risk at a regulatory level and significantly weakens Pfizer's potential defense that the risk was unknown or unproven.
BMJ Study Published — 5.6x Risk
The British Medical Journal published a large-scale epidemiological study finding a 5.6x increased risk of intracranial meningioma among women who used injectable medroxyprogesterone for one or more years. This study became the scientific cornerstone of the litigation.
MDL 3140 Established
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all federal Depo-Provera meningioma cases before Judge M. Casey Rodgers in the Northern District of Florida.
What the Bellwether Trial Means
A bellwether trial is a test case designed to provide both sides — and the court — with a preview of how juries respond to the evidence. It is not binding on other cases, but the outcome has enormous practical impact:
- If the plaintiff wins: Pfizer faces strong pressure to negotiate a global settlement to avoid thousands of individual verdicts. Settlement values increase.
- If the defendant wins: Pfizer gains leverage in settlement negotiations. However, one bellwether loss does not end the litigation — additional trials and appeals continue.
- In either case: The trial establishes how judges rule on evidence admissibility, particularly regarding the BMJ study and expert causation testimony. This shapes every case that follows.
The December 2026 bellwether trial is the most significant upcoming event in this litigation. Attorneys representing plaintiffs are actively building case inventory in advance of this date.
Why Cases Are Growing 47% Per Month
Several factors are driving the rapid growth in MDL 3140 filings:
- FDA label change (December 2025) created mainstream media coverage and public awareness
- 24 million exposed population — Depo-Provera has been one of the most widely prescribed contraceptives for over 30 years
- Meningioma is diagnosable and documentable — unlike some mass tort injuries, meningiomas are confirmed by MRI with clear imaging evidence
- Pfizer has deep pockets — as one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer has the resources to fund a significant settlement
- Law firm advertising — plaintiff firms are investing in awareness campaigns, driving more women to check their histories
Should You Wait or File Now?
If you believe you have a claim, there are important reasons not to wait:
- Statutes of limitations are running. Every state has a deadline. Missing it means losing your right to file permanently, regardless of how strong your case is.
- Medical records may become harder to obtain. Pharmacy records, injection records, and medical imaging from years ago become more difficult to retrieve as time passes.
- Filing now does not mean trial now. Your case enters the MDL for coordinated pretrial proceedings. You do not need to appear in court or take any immediate action beyond filing.
- No cost to file. Attorneys handling these cases work on contingency — you pay nothing unless you receive compensation.
Don't Let the Deadline Pass
If you used Depo-Provera and were diagnosed with a meningioma, check whether you qualify before your state's filing deadline expires.
Check My Eligibility →How to Stay Updated
MDL 3140 is an active, rapidly evolving litigation. We monitor court filings and publish updates on this page as significant developments occur. Key events to watch for in 2026:
- Daubert hearings on expert testimony admissibility
- Bellwether case selection and trial preparation
- Any settlement discussions or offers from Pfizer
- Additional scientific studies on medroxyprogesterone and meningioma risk