Rochester, New York: Depo-Provera Lawsuits

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Best Lawyer and American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorney, is Committed to Protecting the Rights of Women Across Rochester. If You or a Loved One Has Been Diagnosed with Meningioma or Another Serious Medical Condition Caused by Depo-Provera, Our Experienced Team of Attorneys Could Help You Collect the Evidence You Need to Obtain a Fair Settlement.

Depo-Provera is a common contraceptive that has been on the market for more than half a century.

Even though Depo-Provera has a reputation for being both safe and effective, it could carry a much greater risk than most women realize. According to a series of recently published studies, people who take Depo-Provera and other medications containing the same ingredients are more likely to develop meningioma than those who do not. A type of tumor that forms in the nervous system, meningiomas can be cancerous. Even when they are not malignant, they can still wreak absolute havoc on women’s lives.

You cannot change a diagnosis, but you should not have to pay the price for a pharmaceutical company’s massive mistake. If you or a loved one has been injured by Depo-Provera, you could be entitled to significant compensation.

Since our founding in 2005, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has helped our clients in Rochester and throughout Upstate New York secure more than $300 million in damages. We could help you, too. Send us a message online or call us today at 585-939-3939 to speak to a Depo-Provera injury lawyer near Rochester and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation.

Depo-Provera is the name of an injectable contraceptive made by Pfizer.

Unlike most types of birth control, which are taken by mouth, Depo-Provera is administered as a shot. Most women who take Depo-Provera receive one injection every three to four months. These shots are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.

The active ingredient in Depo-Provera is medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Depo-Provera uses medroxyprogesterone acetate which contains progestin. Progestin is a laboratory-made hormone that mimics the effect of progestogen, a hormone made by the body.

Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy by:

1. Interrupting ovulation;
2. Preventing the ovaries from releasing new eggs;
3. Thickening mucus around the cervix makes it harder for sperm to fertilize eggs.

Medications like Depo-Provera work fast and usually provide near-immediate protection from pregnancy.

Depo-Provera is not typically considered a high-risk drug, but that does not mean it is risk-free.

Some women cannot take Depo-Provera. Doctors will usually avoid prescribing it if you have a history of conditions like unexplained vaginal bleeding, breast cancer, or osteoporosis.

Depo-Provera can cause side effects even if you do not have any risk factors. The most common side effects include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Abdominal pain;
2. Bloating;
3. Depression;
4. Recurring headaches;
5. Fatigue;
6. Unexpected weight gain.

Researchers now believe that, outside of these common side effects, Depo-Provera can trigger chemical changes in the brain that raise your risk of meningioma, a type of tumor that grows in the membranous layers surrounding the brain.

For decades, scientists have speculated that the long-term use of Depo-Provera could cause meningioma. A recently published study may have confirmed this hypothesis, with the authors finding that the “prolonged use of medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate [the active ingredient in Depo-Provera], and promegestone was found to be associated with an increased risk of meningioma.”

Meningiomas are tumors that can develop in the meninges, the three layers of membranes that help protect the brain and spinal cord. Although meningiomas are tumors, they are not necessarily cancerous and do not always metastasize, spread to other parts of the body. Experts believe that only 1% to 10% of all meningiomas are cancerous.

However, just because a meningioma is not cancerous does not mean that it cannot still be dangerous. Most meningiomas require near-constant monitoring. If they grow too large, they can put pressure on the brain, the spinal cord, associated nerves, and certain vascular structures. This can cause significant pain and discomfort. In some cases, it could even lead to disability.

Meningiomas are often treatable, but only if they are properly diagnosed and promptly treated. Unfortunately, diagnosing meningioma can be challenging even for highly experienced doctors. This is because many of the condition’s early-warning symptoms are anything but obvious.

When a meningioma is just beginning to form, you might not realize that anything is wrong. Over time, though, the tumor may start to cause vague symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, or weakness in your arms and legs. Since many other conditions can trigger the same symptoms, it is easy to write them off as something else, potentially delaying diagnosis and worsening outcomes.

Pharmaceutical companies sell products that can change your body from the inside out.

Since a pharmaceutical company’s products can be incredibly powerful, manufacturers are held to a high standard. Before they can put a new drug on the market, they must usually run an intense series of clinical trials, going to great lengths to identify and investigate any reported side effects that could have been caused by the medication.

If a company like Pfizer finds evidence of a relationship between a new drug and a serious medical condition, they are typically required to warn patients of the risk. Warnings can take any of the following forms:

1. A verbal warning issued by your doctor;
2. A verbal or written warning from your pharmacist;
3. A written warning is provided with your prescription.

Pfizer did not previously acknowledge that Depo-Provera could cause meningioma. Consequently, most women who take or have taken this medication were never informed of the risk. Depending on your diagnosis, this means that you could be entitled to take legal action against Pfizer or another pharmaceutical company.

Your damages are compensation for the losses you have suffered as the direct result of a Depo-Provera-related condition like meningioma.

Although your damages are unique to your case, they could include relief for:

1. Existing medical bills;
2. The costs of anticipated or future care;
3. Funds to enroll in a clinical trial;
4. Money for physical rehabilitation or physical therapy;
5. Reimbursement for lost income;
6. Diminished earning potential;
7. Physical pain and suffering;
8. Emotional pain and suffering;
9. Disfigurement from surgical procedures;
10. Wrongful death.

New York does not cap damages in most Depo-Provera claims, which means that you could receive as much money as you need to fight a life-altering diagnosis or begin reclaiming your financial independence.

If you have been hurt by Depo-Provera, do not take chances with your rights.

A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades filing, fighting, and winning high-stakes product liability lawsuits against some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the country. We could help you, too, but you have to act fast. Call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 585-939-3939 to speak to a Depo-Provera injury lawyer near Rochester and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 585-939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!