If you developed serious health complications after receiving a Depo-Provera injection, you may qualify to file a Depo shot lawsuit. While Depo-Provera is a popular contraceptive due to its convenience, it has been linked to pseudotumor cerebri, a condition that can cause severe headaches, vision problems, and even permanent vision loss. If you’ve suffered side effects linked to Depo-Provera, the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller can walk you through your legal options and what to expect.
When manufacturers fail to disclose known risks, patients are left vulnerable. Our firm has extensive experience holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and pursuing compensation for those harmed by unsafe medications.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we have the resources and legal knowledge to handle complex drug injury claims. To get started, call us at (888) 485-8844 for a free and confidential case review.
How Our Depo-Provera Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Lawsuit
Filing a Depo shot lawsuit against a major drug company like Pfizer may seem difficult, but our team is here to guide you. Since 1981, Ferrer Poirot Feller has represented clients in Dallas and across the United States in cases involving dangerous medications. Our drug injury lawyers understand both the science and the legal strategy needed to pursue claims involving Depo-Provera.
We’ll start with a confidential discussion about your experience, including when you received the Depo shot, the symptoms you’ve had, and how it has affected your health. From there, we gather your medical records, review the drug’s safety history, and examine documents from the manufacturer as part of our legal investigation.
Whether your doctors are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or in another region, we collect all relevant records from your primary care provider, OB-GYN, neurologist, and eye specialist. These help us build a timeline that shows how Depo-Provera may have led to your injury. We also consult with medical experts who can support your claim with professional opinions.
Our No Fee Guarantee means you do not pay anything upfront. We cover the cost of building your case and only receive a fee if we win compensation on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work.
What Is Depo-Provera? Understanding the Depo Shot and Its Risks
Depo-Provera CI, also known by its generic name medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a hormonal birth control injection that is administered once every three months. Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., the drug works by releasing progestin into the body, which prevents ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, reducing the chance of pregnancy.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992, Depo-Provera quickly became a popular form of long-term contraception for women across the country. Its ease of use and reliability made it a preferred option for millions. However, legal claims suggest that Pfizer may have failed to provide adequate warnings about serious risks associated with the medication.
If you have experienced adverse side effects such as vision changes, nerve damage, or other serious health problems after receiving the Depo shot, you may be eligible to file a Depo shot lawsuit. A drug injury lawyer can review your case, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you may be owed.
Depo-Provera Side Effects: Injuries and Health Risks Linked to the Depo Shot
While most medications come with some potential side effects, lawsuits filed over Depo-Provera claim the drug is linked to serious and sometimes irreversible health problems.
These legal actions focus on the argument that Pfizer failed to give patients and healthcare providers full and accurate information about significant risks. Many women who received the Depo shot were unaware that they might face life-altering complications, and they were not given the opportunity to make fully informed decisions about their health.
The injuries associated with Depo-Provera can have a lasting impact, both physically and emotionally. Two of the most commonly cited conditions in Depo shot lawsuits are pseudotumor cerebri and loss of bone mineral density. These complications have been reported by patients in Texas and across the country and are now central to many drug injury claims.
Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC) From Depo-Provera: Vision Loss & Brain Pressure Risks
Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is one of the most serious conditions that has been linked to Depo-Provera. “Pseudotumor cerebri,” meaning “false brain tumor,” mimics the symptoms of a brain tumor—without an actual tumor being present. It occurs when too much cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull, placing pressure on the brain and the optic nerves.
This increase in pressure can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Persistent headaches, often behind the eyes
- Blurred or double vision that interferes with daily tasks
- Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve) detectable in an eye exam
- Gradual or sudden vision loss, which may be permanent in severe cases
- A pulsing, whooshing sound in the ears (pulsatile tinnitus)
Diagnosis of PTC typically requires imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan to rule out other medical conditions, followed by a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to measure cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Treatment options may include medications to reduce fluid production, repeated spinal taps, or surgery to place a shunt that drains the fluid and relieves pressure on the brain.
Despite how serious the condition can be, Depo-Provera’s warning label does not specifically list pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Both conditions can lead to permanent vision loss.
While the label lists “headache” as a possible side effect, it does not explain the risk of these potentially severe neurological disorders. Many lawsuits involving the Depo shot point to this omission as a failure to properly inform patients and healthcare providers about the full extent of the risks.
However, the absence of specific language on the label does not automatically mean the drug is legally defective or that the manufacturer is liable. This remains a disputed issue in both ongoing and past court cases.
Bone Loss and Osteoporosis Risk From Depo-Provera Use
Another serious concern connected to Depo-Provera is its effect on bone health. Long-term use of the Depo shot has been shown to reduce bone mineral density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life.
In response to these risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required Pfizer to add a black box warning to the drug’s label in 2004, the strongest safety alert the FDA can mandate. The warning explains that prolonged use of Depo-Provera may lead to significant bone loss, which becomes more likely with continued use and may not fully reverse even after the medication is discontinued.
As a result, the FDA warns against using Depo-Provera for more than two years unless no other options are suitable. The black box warning shows that Pfizer was aware of the potential for serious bone loss tied to long-term use.
Can You Sue Pfizer for Depo-Provera Injuries? Understanding Legal Liability
Drug manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe when used as directed and for providing clear warnings about known risks. Such disclosures help doctors and patients make informed decisions about treatment suitability. Failure to communicate essential safety information can result in legal liability for any harm caused.
Proving that a drug directly caused your injury can be complex. The law typically requires the plaintiff, or person filing the lawsuit, to present expert medical and scientific testimony.
This expert must show not only that the drug is capable of causing the condition, but also that it did cause it in that specific individual. Courts also require that this testimony meets strict standards, such as the Daubert rule, which ensures the expert’s opinion is based on reliable methods and supported by peer-reviewed scientific research.
In lawsuits filed in Texas and other states, people have claimed that Pfizer did not properly warn about serious risks linked to Depo-Provera, including pseudotumor cerebri and long-term bone loss. Because scientific opinions vary, outcomes often depend on the strength and credibility of the expert evidence presented.
Failure to Warn Lawsuits Against Pfizer Over Depo-Provera Risks
At the core of most Depo-Provera injury cases is a legal theory known as “failure to warn.” This means that a company may be liable for injuries if it knew, or should have known, about a dangerous side effect but did not include that risk in the product’s label or marketing materials.
Although the Depo-Provera label includes general side effects such as headaches, it does not mention the more serious and potentially blinding condition of PTC. Many plaintiffs argue that this omission left both patients and healthcare providers unaware of a condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent harm.
A mild, short-term headache is very different from a serious neurological disorder. If Pfizer had warned about the risk of PTC or IIH, doctors might have taken extra steps to monitor patients or recommend alternative forms of birth control. Patients may also have chosen a different option entirely if they had understood the risks.
State and Federal Legal Standards in Depo-Provera Lawsuits
Under product liability laws, a product may be considered defective if it fails to include clear warnings or instructions about risks that are not immediately obvious. This is known as a marketing defect.
In Texas and many other states, individuals who suffer harm as a result of such defects have the legal right to pursue a civil lawsuit against the manufacturer and seek compensation for their injuries. These laws are designed to protect consumers from being exposed to dangers they could not have anticipated.
In the case of Depo-Provera, the lawsuits argue that Pfizer failed to disclose serious risks, even after medical evidence became available. By not updating the warning label to reflect these dangers, the company may have violated both state and federal safety regulations.
If you believe you experienced serious side effects after receiving the Depo shot, a drug injury lawyer can help you understand your rights. You may be eligible to file a Depo shot lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term health complications.
Our Process for Depo-Provera Lawsuits: How We Build a Strong Drug Injury Claim
Building a successful lawsuit against a pharmaceutical giant requires a detailed, evidence-based approach. Our team manages the complex legal work so you can concentrate on your health.
Step 1: Free and Confidential Case Evaluation
The process starts with a free, confidential case review. During this initial consultation, we take the time to listen to your story, ask about your medical history and use of Depo-Provera, and evaluate whether you may have a potential claim. There is no cost or obligation to move forward.
Step 2: Collecting Medical and Pharmacy Records
To prove your case, we must establish a clear timeline. We will gather all the necessary evidence, including:
- Pharmacy records showing the dates you received the Depo-Provera injections.
- Records from your primary care doctor, OB-GYN, and any specialists you saw, such as a neurologist or ophthalmologist in Dallas or your local community.
- Results from diagnostic tests like MRIs, CT scans, and lumbar punctures.
- Documentation of your financial losses, including medical bills and any income you lost from being unable to work.
Step 3: Consulting With Medical Experts
We collaborate with a national network of medical experts who can review your case and offer informed, professional opinions. A pharmacologist can explain how the hormones in Depo-Provera may contribute to conditions such as pseudotumor cerebri, while neurologists and ophthalmologists can speak to the severity of your injury and what it may mean for your long-term health. Their insight plays an important role in building a strong and well-supported claim.
Step 4: Filing the Lawsuit and Navigating the Legal System
After gathering the necessary evidence to support your claim, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Since many women nationwide have reported similar injuries, these cases may be combined into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), which helps streamline the legal process.
In an MDL, one judge oversees pretrial procedures such as discovery and motions, allowing the courts to manage cases more efficiently than if each were handled separately. Your case, however, remains individual, and any compensation is based on the specific facts of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
Depo Shot Lawsuit Compensation: What Damages Can You Recover?
If you’ve suffered harm from Depo-Provera, a Depo shot lawsuit may allow you to recover financial compensation for both your out-of-pocket expenses and the personal toll of your injury. These losses, known as damages, are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are meant to cover your direct financial losses. This includes all medical costs related to your condition, such as diagnostic testing, hospital care, prescription medications, vision treatments, and any future procedures, including shunt placement.
You may also receive compensation for lost income if you missed work due to your symptoms or medical appointments. If your injury affects your ability to continue working or limits future career opportunities, you may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages account for the personal impact of your condition. This may include compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression, and reduced enjoyment of daily life. If you have suffered permanent injury, such as partial or total vision loss, the law also allows recovery for the long-term effects on your independence and well-being.
A drug injury lawyer can help assess the full scope of your losses and pursue fair compensation based on the specific facts of your case.
Start Your Depo-Provera Lawsuit: Hold Pfizer Accountable for Injuries
Choosing Depo-Provera was meant to protect your health and give you control over your reproductive choices. However, you may not have been told that this decision could put you at risk for developing a serious, and potentially permanent, neurological condition.
When pharmaceutical companies fail to fully disclose known risks associated with their products, they should be held accountable. Filing a Depo shot lawsuit is not just about seeking financial compensation—it’s also about advocating for patient safety and ensuring drug manufacturers are responsible for the harm their products cause.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, our drug injury lawyers have been standing up for people hurt by unsafe medications since 1981. We’re here to help you hold drug companies accountable when their products cause harm.
If you believe Depo-Provera caused your injury, we are ready to review your case. Call us at (888) 485-8844 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We’re available any time, and you won’t pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.