Vaccines are essential for preventing many illnesses. The spread of a contagious disease is limited when herd immunity is reached. This protects people including those who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies who are too young and people with chronic illnesses.
The majority of vaccines are administered without problems, and very few vaccine injuries occur each year. However, these injuries can happen. If you have an adverse reaction to a vaccine, no matter how small, it’s important to report it to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS acts as an early warning system of possible safety problems with vaccines in the U.S.
If you believe you’ve been injured by a vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). A Sands Anderson vaccine injury attorney can help you understand your vaccine injury and eligibility for this program.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Vaccine Injury Table
The VICP provides an updated list of vaccines known to cause injury on what’s called the Vaccine Injury Table. This table lists the vaccines covered under VICP and the possible injuries that can occur with each one.
It’s important to note that if an injury is not on the table, you may still be eligible to receive compensation.
If you think you have been injured by a vaccine, we can help you file your claim and become whole again.
Types of Vaccine Reactions
Types of vaccine reactions range from mild to severe, and can include:
- Allergic reactions. With allergic reactions, the body overreacts to a substance such as food, bee venom or medicines. Allergic vaccine reactions include anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock.
- Autoimmune disorders. These reactions happen when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease and Guillain-Barré syndrome are examples.
- Blood conditions. Blood conditions include immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) and others.
- Bowel problems. These can include diarrhea, bowel obstructions and intussusception.
- Nerve damage and pain. Nerve damage can include conditions such as brachial neuritis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
- Brain conditions. Brain and other neurological conditions can include encephalitis, ADEM and seizures.
- Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Incorrect administration of a vaccine can cause a shoulder injury, such as rotator cuff tear and bursitis.
- Other vaccine reactions. Some less-common vaccine reactions include chronic arthritis and several reactions that result in the illness the vaccine is designed to prevent.
How We Can Help
The vaccine injury attorneys at Sands Anderson are experts at winning compensation for vaccine injuries. We will help you understand the VICP process and file your claim—at no cost to you.
Learn how we help clients with personalized attention and experience to maximize your compensation.