Am I eligible for vaccine injury compensation?
What Is Brachial Neuritis?
Brachial neuritis is also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome and brachial neuropathy. It is a condition that affects the brachial plexus, which contains nerves that control muscles in the chest, shoulders, arms, forearms, and hands. People with brachial neuritis have nerve damage that causes pain or weakness in these areas.
The causes of brachial neuritis are not well understood. It sometimes runs in families, although this is rare. It can also develop as a result of another illness or injury, and sometimes without a clear cause. This type is called idiopathic brachial neuritis, and it may result from the body’s immune system attacking the nerve fibers in the brachial plexus.
Males between the ages of 20 and 60 are most likely to develop brachial neuritis. Many people who rapidly develop brachial neuritis have recently recovered from a virus or other infection, or have had a vaccination, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), recent surgery or other tests and treatments.
Can Vaccines Cause Brachial Neuritis?
Although the cause is unknown, brachial neuritis vaccine injuries can develop as a result of adverse reactions to a vaccine. That’s why it is a recognized vaccine injury and is specifically covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
There are several vaccines that have been linked to brachial neuritis, including:
What Are The Symptoms Of A Brachial Neuritis Vaccine Injury?
Although brachial neuritis often affects only one side of the body, but on rare occasions, it can also cause symptoms on both sides.
Symptoms of brachial neuritis can include:
- Burning sensation
- Feeling of an electric shock
- Loss of function or feeling
- Severe, sharp pain
- Weakness
Symptoms of brachial neuritis can begin unexpectedly without an obvious injury or physical condition as a cause. Brachial neuritis can cause serious and permanent weakness or disability, and it’s important to see a doctor right away if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.
How Is A Brachial Neuritis Vaccine Injury Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about symptoms and perform tests that assess muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation in the affected area.
Then, a test called electromyography (EMG) is used to confirm the diagnosis. This test measures how your muscles respond to electrical stimulation from electrodes inserted into them. The results of the EMG test show the location, nature, and severity of any nerve damage caused by brachial neuritis.
How Is A Brachial Neuritis Vaccine Injury Treated?
The first step in treating brachial neuritis is to develop a pain management plan. Steroid medications such as prednisone may be used early on, and pain medications can also help.
Rehabilitation with physical and occupational therapy can help the arm and shoulder return to their normal function. This can include active and passive exercises over many months. Recovery from brachial neuritis is a slow process that can take months to years.
Am I Eligible For Brachial Neuritis Vaccine Injury Compensation?
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) includes brachial neuritis as a covered injury.
If you or a loved one has developed symptoms of brachial neuritis, take our vaccine eligibility quiz to see if you qualify for compensation. Our experienced vaccine injury attorneys can file a claim for you with the VICP at no cost to you.