Filing a Depo-Provera lawsuit isn't complicated if you work with the right attorney. The process is more about organization and patience than complexity.
Before You Call a Lawyer
Gather what documentation you can find, though you don't need perfect records to start a conversation. For proving Depo-Provera use, look for medical records showing prescriptions, clinic records from injection visits, pharmacy receipts or dispensing records, and insurance claims or explanations of benefits. Even personal calendars or notes tracking your injections can help establish the timeline.
For proving your meningioma, you'll want the MRI or CT scan reports showing the tumor, any neurology or neurosurgery consultation notes, surgical reports if you had the tumor removed, pathology reports confirming the diagnosis, and records of ongoing monitoring or treatment.
Don't worry if you can't locate everything. Attorneys have processes for obtaining medical records through proper authorizations, and missing a few pieces doesn't necessarily sink a case. Start with what you have.
The Initial Consultation
Most pharmaceutical litigation attorneys offer free case evaluations. During this conversation, they'll ask about your Depo-Provera use—when you started, how long you continued, how consistently you received injections. They'll ask about your meningioma—when it was diagnosed, what symptoms you experienced, what treatment you received, what lasting effects you have. Based on this information, they'll give you an initial assessment of whether your case looks viable.
They'll also explain their fee structure, which is typically contingency-based: no fee unless you win, with the attorney's percentage coming out of any eventual recovery. You should understand exactly what percentage they charge and how case expenses are handled before signing anything.
Be honest and thorough. Attorneys need accurate information to evaluate your case properly. If there are gaps in your records or complications in your history, better to surface them early than have them discovered later.
Signing Up
If you decide to move forward, you'll sign a retainer agreement that covers the scope of representation, the fee percentage, how case expenses are handled, and what communication you can expect throughout the process. Read it carefully and ask questions about anything unclear. This is a business relationship that may last years—you should understand the terms.
What Your Attorney Does Next
Once retained, your attorney takes over the heavy lifting. They'll have you sign authorizations allowing them to request your complete medical records directly from providers. Their team will gather these records, often from multiple sources, and organize them chronologically. Medical experts retained by the firm will review your records to confirm the case has merit—that your Depo-Provera use and meningioma diagnosis support a viable claim.
Then your attorney drafts and files the complaint—the legal document formally starting your lawsuit, laying out who you are, what happened to you, and why the manufacturer is responsible. Depending on where your case is filed and the status of the litigation, it may be coordinated with other cases in multidistrict litigation proceedings.
Your Role During Litigation
After filing, your involvement is periodic but important. You'll need to respond to discovery requests—written questions called interrogatories that ask about your medical history, your use of the drug, and your damages. You'll provide additional documents as requested. You may be asked to give a deposition, which is sworn testimony where defense attorneys ask you questions that get recorded by a court reporter.
Your attorney's team will prepare you for everything, especially depositions. You won't be thrown into any proceeding without guidance on what to expect and how to handle questions. Your main job is to respond to your attorney's requests reasonably promptly and keep them informed of any changes in your medical situation.
The Waiting
Pharmaceutical litigation takes years, not months. After the initial activity of filing and early discovery, there may be long periods where not much seems to happen from your perspective. This is normal. Behind the scenes, attorneys are reviewing thousands of documents, taking depositions of company witnesses, working with experts, and filing motions. The wheels turn slowly in complex litigation.
Stay patient and maintain contact with your attorney's office. Keep them informed of medical developments. Preserve any new documentation related to your condition. Eventually, the case will either settle or proceed toward trial, and you'll have a resolution.
Time Limits
Every state has a statute of limitations—a deadline for filing. These typically run from when you discovered or should have discovered the connection between Depo-Provera and your meningioma. Since warnings only recently appeared on the label, many women are still within their windows, but don't assume. Consulting an attorney sooner rather than later protects your rights and avoids any risk of missing your deadline.