Each Spring, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) to shine a spotlight on “the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).” For 2022, the CDC placed particular emphasis on promoting timely vaccinations, noting “a troubling drop in routine childhood vaccination as a result of families staying at home” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources from NIIW 2022 are still available online. Here, vaccine attorney Leah V. Durant shares some of the highlights: Continue reading
Tag Archives: Vaccine Injury
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
2021 Year In Review: What We Learned about Vaccine Injuries and VICP Claims
It’s hard to believe that 2021 is already coming to a close. While the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines dominated most of the vaccine-related headlines during the year, there were some notable stories unrelated to the pandemic as well. Here is a look back at some of the topics we covered and the information we shared throughout the year: Continue reading
My Shoulder Hurts – Do I Have a Vaccine Injury Claim?
Mild shoulder pain is a common side effect of most CDC-recommended vaccinations. The CDC advises that this pain should typically go away within a couple of days at most, and vaccine recipients generally should not experience any lingering or long-term effects. But, what if your shoulder pain isn’t “mild”? Or, what if it doesn’t go away? In some cases, vaccinations can cause shoulder injuries, and individuals who experience severe pain or other symptoms should both see a doctor and talk to a vaccine lawyer right away. Continue reading
What Injury Risks are Associated with the Rotavirus Vaccine?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the rotavirus vaccine for infants beginning at two months of age—with limited exceptions. While the approved rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq and Rotarix) are generally considered safe, vaccine injuries still occur in a small percentage of cases. Learn what parents need to know about these risks from national vaccine injury attorney Leah V. Durant.
Mild Risks Associated with the Rotavirus Vaccine
Like all vaccines, the rotavirus vaccine carries a risk for certain side effects. The CDC classifies these side effects as “mild,” and they generally are not classified as vaccine injuries on their own. However, these side effects can also be symptoms of the vaccine injuries discussed below; and, as a result, parents whose children experience these side effects should monitor their children closely and seek medical attention promptly if necessary: Continue reading
Don’t Wait to Seek Help if You Have Concerns about a Vaccine Injury
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. Continue reading
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