Depo-Provera Settlement Negotiations: Attorney Shares Insights on the Recent Announcement
ROCHESTER, NY, June 16, 2026: Attorney Robert King Discusses the Proposed Depo-Provera Global Settlement and What It Could Mean for All Plaintiffs
On June 15, 2026, Judge M. Casey Rodgers issued an order that announced settlement negotiations in the Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation (MDL). According to the order, eligible plaintiffs with pending lawsuits will have the opportunity to resolve their claims through a global agreement. This means that many plaintiffs who have joined the Depo-Provera MDL may receive a settlement.
Robert King, founder of the Robert King Law Firm, who represents people in Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits, said that the efficiency of this litigation and Judge Rodgers have been remarkable, which is good news for many plaintiffs.
“They have called this litigation a ‘rocket docket’ for good reason,” said Mr. King. “It is very interesting to see a settlement being worked up so early in the proceedings. The judge has not ruled on Pfizer’s preemption motion, experts have not testified, and no bellwether trials have occurred. This early settlement will likely be good news for plaintiffs because early settlements are not usually low offers.”
Judge Rodgers has vacated (paused) upcoming trials while the settlement details are finalized. Evidentiary hearings were originally scheduled for June 24 and 25, 2026. Judge Rodgers postponed those hearings until July 27, 2026, while attorneys work out the details of the settlement agreement.
According to Mr. King’s analysis, he said it is likely that plaintiffs’ attorneys and defense attorneys have agreed on a dollar amount for corresponding injuries and losses. The recently issued order says that attorneys are “now working to memorialize the details of that global agreement.” Mr. King says those details likely include how settlement requests will be submitted, deadlines for these requests, and who will be giving these settlements final approval.
As it currently stands, all defendants named in Depo-Provera lawsuits (i.e., Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia LLC, and Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC) are in settlement negotiations with plaintiffs’ counsel.
These defendants are working through a global settlement agreement before many of the major milestones in the MDL have occurred. Mr. King says this demonstrates the defendants’ willingness to take some responsibility in these cases. He also stated that Pfizer currently has high amounts of cash on hand, as it was the first $100-billion company in the bio/pharmaceutical industry.
“Although defendants deny all wrongdoing when agreeing to a settlement, these extremely early negotiations show some accountability and willingness on Pfizer’s and the other defendants’ parts. These companies would not be settling so early in the process if they knew the plaintiffs’ cases did not have high merit.”
Plaintiffs in Depo-Provera lawsuits allege that Pfizer and other generic manufacturers of Depo-Provera knew the drug could increase a type of brain tumor called a meningioma. These non-cancerous tumors can be difficult to treat and have lifelong impacts on women. A body of medical research has found these tumors are more common in women who take certain types of progestin-based birth control, including those containing depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), which is the active ingredient in Depo-Provera.
Because not all of the current plaintiffs in the MDL may qualify for a settlement, the MDL will likely remain active for existing plaintiffs. Mr. King said that plaintiffs who are ineligible for this settlement will proceed in the MDL process and that a second round of settlements could occur in the future.
Plaintiffs who have not filed their lawsuits or plaintiffs who have not yet developed brain tumors will still have legal options. Even if the MDL concludes or stops accepting claimants, women can file their cases in non-federal venues, including New York and Delaware courts. If a global settlement is reached, it would demonstrate Pfizer’s willingness to settle at least some claims.
“This pending global settlement is good news for many women. There are more than 5,000 pending cases in this MDL, and each one represents a person whose life was altered by a devastating medical diagnosis. These women deserve meaningful compensation and a fair settlement.”
Mr. King and the attorneys at King Law will review settlement offers made to their clients and continue to fight for fair compensation. The law firm will continue to accept new Depo-Provera claims and file these claims in the appropriate venue. Learn more about the Depo-Provera litigation here.
About Robert King Law Firm
The Robert King Law Firm is a national law firm focused on complex litigations, like mass torts, involving personal injuries cases against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. The firm represents individuals and families in high-stakes cases involving corporate negligence, defective design, and product liability.
For further information or comments, contact Robert King Law Firm at (585) 496-2648.