A vaccine injury, also known as a vaccine adverse effect (VAE), is a potentially harmful or adverse effect that can arise from a vaccination. Such injuries can occur to adults as well as kids. The majority of vaccine injuries are not serious. Severe injuries and deaths resulting from vaccinations are rare. And the World Health Organization has debunked the fallacy that severe vaccine injuries are common and has classified it as a “common misconception about immunization.”
A lot of vaccine injuries are obvious, but some are not, making it difficult to prove the actual cause and obtain the required compensation or settlement.
Another issue that surrounds vaccine injuries is that the pediatrician who administered the vaccine to your child might not admit that your child has a vaccine injury because he wants to protect his reputation.
Side Effects or Symptoms? Know When to Seek Treatment
Some children may suffer side effects resulting from a vaccine, while others may not. Besides, these vaccines can also cause severe injuries. Therefore, it is very vital that you know the differences between side effects and injuries when opting for medical treatment.
Also, certain side effects and injuries overlap. For instance, a flu vaccine might cause short-term pain; however, such pain might also be an indication of a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Taking this into account, see a doctor immediately if you are worried about any possible vaccine-related injury.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) list the common side effects of various vaccines on their website. These vaccines include those recommended for routine administration to children as well as adults. Some of the side effects of common vaccines that the CDC lists are as follows:
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) – Soreness, redness, or rash at the injection site, fever, and headaches.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) – Soreness or swelling at the injection site, fever, fatigue, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fussiness.
- Zoster (Shingles) – Redness and swelling at the injection site, trivial arm pain, headaches, fever, fatigue, and nausea.
If the adverse reaction persists after a few days or if it seems worse, it could be an indication of a vaccine injury. Also, effects not listed as side effects might be vaccine injuries. Some of the signs of a vaccine injury include the following:
- Arm pain or shoulder pain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Limited range of motion
- Difficulty swallowing, talking, or eating
- frozen shoulder
- Tingling sensation
- Fever or severe fatigue
Perhaps you have any concerns regarding injuries caused by vaccinations. In that case, seek medical help immediately, and if a vaccine injury is diagnosed, consult a vaccine injury compensation attorney. You might be eligible for financial compensation from your vaccine injury claim, as stipulated by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), from the health and human services involved.
Examples of Vaccine Injuries
Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to antigens contained in a vaccine dose. As much as vaccines contain antigens specific to the disease a child is being vaccinated for, they also constitute other compounds that some individuals may be allergic to.
Autoimmune Reaction
Autoimmune reactions are not common or associated with a particular vaccine. If an autoimmune reaction occurs and attacks the insulating myelin sheath around the nerves, it can result in the following:
- An attack against the central nervous system which can cause Myelitis, Encephalitis, Multiple sclerosis, Optic neuritis, and other nervous system disorders.
- An attack on the kidneys, which can lead to nephritis.
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) if the attack is against the peripheral nerves.
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
In the United States, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program handles vaccine-related claims and caters to the compensation of individuals injured by vaccines. The vaccine injury compensation program litigates a vaccine injury case such that the claimant needs to establish that the vaccine caused the injury. Denied claims, though uncommon, can be pursued through a civil lawsuit.
The vaccine injury compensation program covers all vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. To be compensated, the claimant must show a relationship between the injury and any of the vaccines listed in the Vaccine Injury Table.
How Do I Prove A Vaccine Injury?
As required by the National Vaccine Injury Program, when resolving vaccine injury claims, you need to show a connection between the claimed injury and the vaccination. That is to say, you have to do the following:
- Provide a medical theory causally connecting the proposed vaccine injury to the vaccination.
- Show a reasonable sequence of cause and effect.
- Show that the reaction happened within the medically appropriate time frame.
When you fulfill these requirements, the government attorney must then show that some other causes are more likely than those you presented in the vaccine court.
Also, considering the complexity of medical issues and other factors, navigating a claim for vaccine injury compensation is not a trivial job in a vaccine court. As a result, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides for direct payment of legal fees and expenses relating to navigating vaccine injury cases, so you don’t have to be concerned about the cost of representation.
The entire compensation awarded to the victim after the NVICP approves and pays compensation is given to such a victim. No part of the money is retained to pay vaccine attorneys.
Need a Vaccine Injury Attorney to Navigate Your Vaccine Injury Claim? Reach out to Michael Alan Siddons Law Firm
The best way to ensure your vaccine injury claim is well presented is to seek the legal representation of experienced vaccine injury attorneys. At Michael Alan Siddons’ law firm, you will have the best representation courtesy of our vaccine injury attorneys and get an idea of what your vaccine injury claim is worth. Our legal fees are flexible. Also, having worked with vaccine injury cases for a long time, our long list of successful cases is a testament to our skills.
Are you or your loved ones suffering from a vaccine injury? Reach out to us at (610) 255-7500 and get a free consultation.
