Many people are learning about the new study released regarding the potential dangers of Depo-Provera. If you have not heard about this, Depo-Provera, an injection given to women to prevent pregnancy or to help them manage other gynecology conditions, has been linked to meningiomas. As a result, women across the country have an increased risk of developing meningiomas on their brain or spinal cords due to receiving these injections, which may eventually require surgery to remove. Our attorneys believe that Pfizer, the manufacturer, should have been aware of these risks, and since they failed to warn consumers about them, we are here to help victims navigate the legal process and hold Pfizer accountable for their negligence.
The seven steps to take if injured by Depo-Provera
It is important to know and understand that everyone’s personal injury case is different and unique. Therefore, depending on your unique situation and circumstances, you may need to follow different steps than other individuals who have been injured by Depo-Provera. However, to help you get started, you can follow these seven general steps if injured by these birth control injections:
- Make sure you seek medical attention: If you are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort that you believe could be from Depo-Provera, it is crucial to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Doctors will likely order various tests to determine whether you have meningiomas, which are tumors on the brain or spinal cord, or any other injuries that could have occurred due to the shot. After the medical provider looks at your results, they will determine whether you need surgery or another form of treatment to recover.
- Document what happened: If you have not already, it is very important that you take the time to document everything that happened. For example, you should write down when you started experiencing pain or discomfort, when you noticed something was off with your body, when you started and stopped receiving Depo-Provera injections, how long you took Depo-Provera injections, what made you seek medical attention, what the doctors found, what type of treatment you are receiving for the injuries, and how the injuries have impacted your daily routine and life. You should also make note of any time off work that you took because of your injuries or pain.
- Reach out to a Depo-Provera lawyer: Even though it is not a requirement, hiring a lawyer can increase your chances of obtaining the fair settlement you deserve. Therefore, you should start reaching out and speaking with a Depo-Provera lawyer about your case at your earliest opportunity. They will answer any of your questions or concerns, inform you of your rights, guide you through the legal process, and help you obtain the best possible outcome based on your situation.
- Collect relevant evidence: Collecting relevant evidence is a vital part of a Depo-Provera injury claim. Therefore, the more evidence that you can find to support your claim, the more likely you will be able to prove that your injuries occurred due to the birth control shot and that the manufacturer should be held accountable. Some of the evidence that may be able to help you prove this include doctor notes, medical records, medical bills, imaging test results, journal entries, and eyewitness statements. Your lawyer may also hire expert witnesses to explain how your meningiomas or other injuries are connected to the Depo-Provera shots and how they may affect your everyday life.
- File a claim: After you have collected strong and convincing evidence and met with an attorney about your case, you will then need to file a claim. Your lawyer will assist you with filing the claim, submitting all evidence, and ensuring that you met all deadlines. They will also inform Pfizer and any other involved parties about the claim, the harm you have endured, and how much compensation you are requesting for damages.
- Negotiate a settlement: The negotiation process involves looking at offered awards and agreeing to a fair compensation amount for your losses. During this time, you and the opposing party will likely go back and forth about the offer amounts. While doing this, it is critical to communicate with your attorney and ask for their advice on the offered amounts. They can let you know whether they seem fair and accurate based on the impact of your meningiomas or other injuries.
- Prepare for trial, if necessary: If you and the defendant cannot come to an agreement to settle your case, your lawyer may suggest filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial. This simply means that you and your lawyer will need to go before a judge or jury to present your arguments and evidence to show that the manufacturer was negligent and caused your injuries. Keep in mind that many cases never make it to trial as filing a lawsuit is sometimes enough to show the opposing party how serious you are, which pushes them to offer a higher award amount.
Have you or a family member been injured by Depo-Provera? If so, you may be eligible to file a claim and seek compensation for your damages. The Depo-Provera injury attorneys at Kwartler Manus, LLC take these cases very seriously. Therefore, if you work with our team, we will do everything we can to advocate for your rights and fight for the financial recovery that you need and deserve to get your life back on track again. We know and understand that you may not want to deal with the complicated legal system right now, which is why we will handle all the legal aspects of your case while you concentrate on your health and well-being. Please fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case review in Philadelphia or Cherry Hill today.