UK law firms consider action on behalf of women who developed brain tumours after using contraceptive

Key Highlights

• Austen Hays told the Guardian it had some potential clients, Fletchers’ website is actively seeking clients and Leigh Day said it is in the early stages of considering the legal basis for any case. Chaya Hanoomanjee, a partner at Austen Hays, said: “We have been approached by at least 30 women who have developed meningiomas following prolonged use of Depo-Provera.“Their lives have been considerably impacted due to having brain tumours, with consequences such as loss of vision and, in one case, a woman having to terminate her pregnancy.
• The duty here lies with Pfizer to ensure a drug is safe and to update warnings and contraindications as soon as new risks become known.“We are looking into the legal merits of each case, with a view to bringing a claim in the UK.”Jill Paterson, a partner at Leigh Day, said: “We have been aware for some time of the concerns that have been raised in relation to Depo-Provera.
• We know the devastating impact meningiomas can have on women’s lives and are assessing the strength of any potential case of those affected.“We are investigating the potential for a legal claim against the manufacturer and hope to be able to have a clear position on this soon.”The potential UK legal cases come as thousands of women are suing Pfizer for compensation in the US.
• Three law firms are leading a federal case, representing approximately 2,500 women, with the first trial to be held in December. The lawyers contend that Pfizer knew the risk of meningioma since at least 2015, but failed to warn patients or medical professionals of the risks, and failed to adequately warn the US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration. Pfizer has not admitted liability and is contesting the litigation. The health impacts of meningioma can be devastating.
• Sandra Somarakis is one of the women suing Pfizer in the US for compensation and damages after developing a meningioma after long-term use of Depo-Provera.