What is the Difference Between the VAERS and the VICP?

When you or a loved one experiences a vaccine-related injury, filing a report helps the government assess the overall safety of the vaccines administered in the United States. Vaccine injury reports help agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) make informed decisions about future vaccine recommendations—and filing a report is one of the most important steps you can take to help protect yourself, your loved ones and others in the future. Continue reading

How Do Vaccine Recipients Obtain Compensation Under the VICP?

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) serves as a source of financial recovery for vaccine recipients and families who are coping with the effects of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. While the VICP is a federal government program, obtaining compensation is not as simple as filing an application for benefits. Instead, claimants must file a petition in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (also known as the “Vaccine Court”), and they must present sufficient evidence to prove that they qualify for compensation under the program. Both of these are steps that require the advice and representation of an experienced vaccine lawyer. Continue reading

Your Family’s Legal Rights After a Fatal Vaccine Injury

Since Congress established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) in 1988, less than 1,500 families have filed claims related to fatal vaccine injuries. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also indicate that vaccine-related deaths are rare. But, when these deaths occur, they are tragic regardless of the specific circumstances involved. Continue reading

How Individuals and Families Can Recover Financial Compensation for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a serious and potentially fatal medical condition that has been linked to the annual flu shot. GBS is an “on table” injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which means that many of the traditional barriers to recovering just compensation are removed. In this article, we provide an overview of what individuals and families need to know about filing GBS and flu vaccine claims under the VICP. Continue reading

2021 Mid-Year Statistics from the VICP

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through 2021. Despite the continuing pandemic, it has been a busy year for the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Through June 1, the VICP is on pace to issue the highest number of compensation awards in its history, and it is also on pace to see the most filings ever in a single year. In this article, vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant discusses some of the most notable statistics from the latest VICP Data & Statistics Report issued by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Continue reading

How Do You File a Successful Vaccine Injury Claim?

The costs of a vaccine injury can be substantial. In addition to financial costs such as medical bills and loss of income, individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related medical conditions can experience chronic pain and long-term suffering. As a result, filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) can be an important part of the recovery process. In this article, vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant offers some tips for filing a successful vaccine injury claim. Continue reading

Seeking Compensation for a Loved One’s Death from a Vaccine-Related Injury or Illness

Each year, an extremely small percentage of vaccine recipients in the United States suffer fatal complications. Anaphylaxis and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) are among the most common causes of vaccine-related deaths in the U.S., though various other complications can have fatal effects as well. Regardless of the cause, for families that are coping with the loss of a loved one following a vaccination, recovering financial compensation typically involves hiring a vaccine lawyer to file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

Tetanus Vaccine Injury Claims Under the VICP

Tetanus is among the many diseases for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend routine vaccination. Like all CDC-recommended vaccines, the tetanus vaccines (including DTaP, DTP, DT, Td and TT) are generally considered safe, but they present risks for certain injuries and illnesses in a very small percentage of cases. In this article, vaccine lawyer Leah Durant explains the process of seeking compensation for tetanus vaccine injuries under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading

HRSA: These Three Factors Influence Settlement Decisions for Vaccine Injury Claims

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) provides compensation to individuals and families who are coping with the effects of vaccine-related illnesses and injuries. It is administered by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). HRSA publishes a monthly Data & Statistics report with information about claims filed under the VICP; and, on the introductory page of the report, it outlines three factors that influence decisions regarding settlement. Continue reading

What Do You Need to Know Before You File a Vaccine Injury Claim?

Filing a successful vaccine injury claim is not easy. It requires time, patience and a thorough understanding of the federal laws that apply. It also requires you to act promptly, and you need to know what to expect – and how to respond – at each stage of the process. In this article, vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant provides an overview of what you need to know before you file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Continue reading