Of the hundreds of millions of doses of vaccines administered in the United States each year, only an extremely small portion result in injuries and illnesses. In 2020, just 1,192 petitioners filed claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). With that said, if you have concerns about a vaccine-related injury or illness, you should take your situation seriously, and you should consult with both a doctor and a vaccine lawyer promptly.
While not everyone who experiences a vaccine-related injury or illness files a claim under the VICP, the low number of claims in comparison to the high number of doses administered in the U.S. sheds light on just how rare these injuries and illnesses truly are. When seeking help following a vaccination, it is important to keep this in mind—as your doctor might initially be hesitant to link your current condition to your vaccination.
What Should You Do if You Have Concerns about a Vaccine Injury?
Do you have concerns about a vaccine injury? If so, here are three steps you should take right away:
1. See a Doctor
Whenever you have concerns about a possible vaccine-related injury or illness, your first step should always be to see a doctor. You should tell your doctor about your recent vaccination, and you should explain why you believe your condition is (or may be) vaccine-related. Thoroughly describe all of your symptoms, be clear about when they began, and tell your doctor if your symptoms have worsened or changed since they first appeared.
For many types of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses, prompt treatment can be crucial for maximizing your chances of a full recovery. It can also substantially reduce the recovery timeline in some cases. Getting a prompt diagnosis is important for your VICP claim as well—as you will need documentation of the timing of your injury or illness in order to secure financial compensation.
2. Collect Your Records
The more records you can collect, the better. This applies to your vaccination, your medical care, and any other costs you incur as a result of your injury or illness (i.e. documentation of time missed from work). Some examples of records you should collect if you have them include:
- Vaccination records (including lot number and manufacturer, if known)
- Scans, test results and other medical records
- Medical bills and statements of benefits (SOBs)
- Appointment cards for future doctor appointments
- Prescription records and receipts
3. Talk to a Vaccine Lawyer
Due to the significant and long-term costs associated with many vaccine-related injuries and illnesses, it is also extremely important that you speak with a vaccine lawyer about your legal rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the federal government under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program—and if you are, you will need an experienced lawyer to help you collect the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Vaccine Lawyer Leah V. Durant
Do you have concerns about a vaccine-related injury or illness? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly. To schedule a free consultation with vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant as soon as possible, call 202-800-1711 or get in touch online now.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.