If Depo-Provera is injected wrong, you may experience severe medical complications, and left untreated, may result in sciatic nerve damage. Depo-Provera is a highly effective contraceptive if applied correctly, but the damage from a wrong injection can be incredibly serious.
If you suffer from an incorrect injection by a medical professional, you need legal guidance to cover your damages. You may suffer from broken blood vessels, or lost employment opportunities due to the injuries. All of these losses can be compensated for, and the process starts by calling a medical malpractice attorney.
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What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive for women containing progestin. This hormone reduces ovulation by thickening the user’s cervical mucus, preventing contact between sperm and egg. This form of contraception is highly effective, with a 6% failure rate, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
The effects of a Depo shot lasts for about 14 weeks and takes effect in the first dose. If a woman gets injected outside her menstrual cycle, she may need to wait 7 to 10 days before risking pregnancy during unprotected intercourse.
Your doctor may also recommend a self-administered shot called Depo-subQ Provera 104. You can take this shot at home with a self-care kit to avoid going to the doctors every 14 weeks.
Depo-Provera Injection Sites
Most doctors inject Depo-Provera on the upper-arm through the deltoid muscle or glutes to promote circulation. SubQ-Depo may be injected through the upper-thigh, but your doctor will instruct you on how this is done before your first injection.
Side-Effects of Depo-Provera
Injecting Depo-Provera may cause side-effects, which may include:
- Headaches
- Nervousness
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Sudden weight gain
- Excessive facial and body hair growth
- Loss of bone density
- Delay in return of fertility
- Acne
- Osteoporosis
If you suffer from many of these side-effects, make sure to contact your doctor to see if Depo-Provera may not be for you. Unlike barrier protection like condoms, Depo shots don’t prevent sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Make sure to wear protection to prevent diseases from occurring.
It’s regular for bleeding to occur during use, and a year of use may prevent periods. This is a regular side-effect of Depo-Provera, and periods usually come back once you stop using the shot.
Risks of Incorrect Depo-Provera Injection
If you suffered from an incorrect Depo-Provera injection, you may suffer separate side-effects. These effects are mostly caused by an incorrect intramuscular injection, similar to those suffering from prescription opiate addiction who incorrectly inject their medication. Similar side effects may occur in incorrect Vitamin B12 injections as well.
An incorrectly-injected dose of Depo-Provera may qualify for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Make sure to legally protect yourself if your doctor violated their medical duty of care.
Reduced Contraceptive Effectiveness
In an incorrect Depo-Provera shot, the contraceptive’s hormones may not fully introduce themselves to your bloodstream. This may reduce the effectiveness of your dose, raising the chances of an unplanned pregnancy.
If you feel your Depo shot was wrongly injected, you need to prove your doctor violated their medical duty of care. This can be through collecting medical records and documenting evidence that their actions caused you harm. You may also issue a lawsuit if you suffer side-effects from a Depo-Provera misdiagnosis.
Muscle Swelling
If a Depo shot is injected incorrectly, you may experience muscle swelling since the needle must pierce through multiple layers of muscle to reach the bloodstream. If the shot is too high or low, there are risks of shoulder injury and even rotator cuff tears.
Infections and Bacterial Abscesses
An incorrect Depo-Provera injection may cause bacterial infection since the needle is introduced deep into the bloodstream. Abscesses may form in the injection site, and if left untreated, may result in life-threatening infection. Contact your doctor as soon as possible when this occurs, and note down the damages you may suffer for legal use.
Damaged Blood Vessels
Your doctor must be careful not to damage blood vessels when administering your Depo-Provera shot. If they do, the wound may create a hematoma, creating more pain and discoloration in your skin. Make sure to take pictures of the discoloration as further proof of damages for your attorney.
If your doctor forces the shot deeper into your arm, the needle may make contact with bone. Fractures and breaks may result due to the damage caused by the injection.
Nerve Damage
It’s rare to administer a Depo-Provera shot on the gluteal region, but if done incorrectly, the shot may cause sciatic nerve damage. The needle may pierce too deeply in the injection site, making contact with a nerve. This may cause pain and paralysis in the affected area.
What to Do After an Incorrect Injection
Contact your health provider as soon as possible if you suffered an incorrect injection from your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you what to do next from a medical perspective. You may need another doctor to check your condition to verify what economic damages you suffered due to medical malpractice.
Gather medical records and photos of your injury so your attorney can represent your case as effectively as possible. Be prepared to show these documents to your attorney during your medical malpractice consultation.
How to Find a Depo-Provera Medical Malpractice Attorney
It’s painful knowing that Depo-Provera caused you unnecessary harm due to medical malpractice. The first step to recovery is knowing the effects of an incorrect Depo-Provera shot. The next step is taking action with a medical malpractice attorney so your damages are rightfully covered.
Taking legal action ensures that the medical industry doesn’t inflict the same injuries you suffered to others. If you’re worried about legal fees, know that most medical malpractice lawyers work under contingency. What this means is attorney services are free until you get your settlement in the mail.
Make sure to file your claim as soon as you’re able to. Medical malpractice claims have a deadline for receiving cases. If you file too late for your state, you can’t present your case to court.
To contact a medical malpractice attorney in your state, reach out to our 500+ law firm network. We have attorneys around the United States ready to receive your claim, and we make it easy to go through the legal process. To start, call 888-927-3080 or complete this short evaluation form to reach out.
Jan Reburiano is a content writer and SEO specialist for law firms focusing on personal injury, disability, employment law, among other practices. He has written and edited numerous articles and created commercial spots for broadcasters that you can find in his LinkedIn. Jan currently lives in Los Angeles, California while writing for clients from around the United States.
