How Do You Prove the Costs of a Vaccine Injury or Illness?

There are two main things you need to prove in order to secure payment under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP): (i) You need to prove that you are eligible for compensation; and, (ii) you need to prove how much you are entitled to recover. We covered who can file a VICP claim in a previous post. In this article, vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant discusses how to prove the costs of a vaccine-related injury or illness. 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

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

Didn’t Get Vaccinated During the 2020-2021 Flu Season? The CDC Still Recommends Getting a Flu Shot

As flu season draws to a close, many people are realizing that they never got around to getting their annual flu shot. With everything going at the end of 2020 and the start of 2021, this is understandable. Despite low vaccination rates, the 2020-2021 flu season was one of the least-impactful on record (due in large part to social distancing and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19), and the low number of flu-related deaths is being viewed as one of the few silver linings of the pandemic. Continue reading

CDC Provides Guidance for Getting the Flu Shot During the COVID-19 Pandemic

While the COVID-19 vaccine is making headlines – and with good reason – it is important to remember that this isn’t the only vaccine the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend. We are currently in the middle of the 2020-2021 flu season, and the CDC has stated that getting the flu vaccine is “more important than ever” during the pandemic. Continue reading

What Happens When You File a Vaccine Injury Claim Under the VICP?

While the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal benefit program, securing compensation under the VICP is wholly unlike seeking benefits under Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. In order to seek compensation for a vaccine injury, you must file a petition in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (which is also known as the Vaccine Court), and you must be prepared to litigate your claim if necessary. However, many VICP claims settle; and, if you hire an experienced vaccine injury lawyer to represent you, you may be able to obtain a fair settlement without the need to argue your case in the Vaccine Court. 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

Where Can You Go to Get Your Annual Flu Shot?

Getting an annual flu shot is one of the best ways you can help protect yourself, your family, your coworkers and your neighbors against influenza. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends that most people get a flu shot each year, and it encourages people to get their flu shots as early in the flu season as possible. Continue reading

Common Misconceptions about Vaccine Illnesses and Injuries

For individuals who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related illnesses and injuries, finding reliable information can be a challenge. Can a vaccine really make you sick? If so, what are the potential long-term complications? Are you entitled to financial compensation? If so, how do you collect the compensation you deserve? Here, vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant explains what you need to know: Continue reading