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For most people, vaccines protect us from getting many serious illnesses. Today, getting diagnosed with polio or mumps is rare. Scientists often point to the success of these injections, as well as herd immunity.

While these vaccines may help prevent certain diseases, they can create other serious health problems for some people. Last year, over 48,000 Americans reported adverse reactions and side effects from vaccinations to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Vaccine injury patient

These adverse side effects include mild allergic reactions to serious injuries, like a shoulder injury.

For anyone injured by a vaccine, there is hope. A federal program acknowledges these side effects of vaccines and offers victims compensation for their injuries through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

In this article, we cover everything you need to know about vaccine injuries, from the difference between vaccine injuries and reactions to how vaccine injury claims work.

If you’re suffering from a vaccine injury, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’re here for you, and we understand what you’re going through. Our vaccine injury lawyers will answer any questions you have.

What side effects and adverse reactions have been linked to vaccines?

Children Vaccination

As we discussed, many vaccines can cause some soreness at the injection site and possible mild symptoms. In rare cases, some people experience permanent injuries from vaccines that can cause pain, loss of body function, and even death.

Here are 6 common vaccine injuries you should know about today

The most common serious injuries reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System include:

  • Shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries from vaccines can happen from the contents of the vaccine or from the administration of the injection.
    Injuries can range from frequent soreness or pain to the complete loss of use of the shoulder. Common SIRVA injuries include Adhesive Capsulitis, Frozen Shoulder Syndrome, Shoulder Bursitis, Rotator Cuff Tears, and more.
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome. This syndrome has been linked to a number of vaccines, especially the yearly flu shot. Guillain-Barre syndrome happens when your immune system turns on itself, causing damage to nerve cells. This reaction, in turn, leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. While Guillain-Barré syndrome typically resolves within weeks, it can cause lasting nerve damage.
  • Chronic Arthritis. Combination vaccines containing the rubella virus are known to cause chronic rheumatoid arthritis. These vaccinations include the MMR vaccine. Common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and swelling.
  • Encephalitis. Encephalitis occurs when an infection or the body’s immune response to infection affects brain inflammation. Symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue, weakness, and pain. In worse-case scenarios, encephalitis may cause permanent brain damage. While many cases resolve with time, they can be unpredictable and should be monitored by a healthcare provider.
  • Anaphylaxis. In some cases, a person is allergic to the vaccine or the ingredients in the vaccine itself. This can cause a strong allergic reaction with symptoms that range from itchy hives to fainting and swelling of the throat.
  • Transverse Myelitis. Vaccine-induced Transverse Myelitis can cause inflammation of the spinal cord that results in damage to the motor and sensory nerves. Symptoms of myelitis include blurred vision, depression, pain, weakness, paralysis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and more. There is currently no cure for transverse myelitis, though treatment may provide some relief.

What’s the difference between vaccine reactions and injuries?

Boy and vaccine syringe

It’s happened to all of us: You get a flu shot and experience adverse side effects. You run a fever, or the injection site on your arm becomes hot and sore. Your symptoms last longer than a few days like the doctor told you.

You race to Google to research your symptoms and to see if the side effects you’re experiencing are abnormal.

Do I have a vaccine reaction or a vaccine injury?

A vaccine reaction happens when your body responds to the vaccine. You may experience mild to moderate symptoms, such as a fever, pain at the injection site, and more. Your symptoms typically resolve without seeing your doctor.

If you are experiencing side effects and symptoms for a long time, you may have a vaccine injury. Alternatively, vaccine injuries often require immediate treatment in the event of death or serious injury. Regardless, these injuries often require treatment from your doctor in order for you to get better.

Regardless of how long you’ve had your symptoms, it’s very important to see your doctor if something doesn’t feel right.

How do I receive compensation for a vaccine injury?

Multiple Vaccinations

In the United States, there is a national vaccine court managed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. It’s called the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Founded in 1986, the VICP was created as a no-fault program for people injured by vaccines. It offers a faster path to compensation for victims compared to the normal civil court system.

It was created after pharmaceutical companies and doctors threatened to reduce vaccination rates because of vaccine injury lawsuits. The government set up the VICP so that vaccine injury victims can still receive compensation, while the general public can continue receiving vaccinations.

How does the VICP work?

Anyone who is injured by a covered vaccine is eligible to file a claim with the VICP. A covered vaccine is a vaccine recommended on the childhood vaccine schedule.

The VICP lists which vaccines are covered and what injuries have been linked to these vaccines on the Vaccine Injury Table. However, if your injury isn’t listed on the Table, you can still file your claim.

There is one hurdle you must jump: the statute of limitations for filing a claim. You must file your claim three (3) years after the onset of your injuries, even if you didn’t know that the vaccine caused your injury.

You can still file a claim if it’s past the statute of limitations. However, the vaccine court is likely going to reject your petition because of this issue.

Should I hire a vaccine injury lawyer to handle my claim?

If you believe you have a vaccine injury case, we recommend hiring an experienced vaccine injury attorney to represent you in the VICP. Why?

You will still have to go up against the Department of Health and Human Services and its attorneys to win your case. The court also pays for your attorney’s fees, so hiring a lawyer comes at no cost to you.

After you hire a vaccine injury lawyer, he or she will file a petition in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on your behalf. Your attorney will deal with the stress of the case, while you focus on getting better. If you are successful, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims will award you compensation for your injuries.

No Matter Where You Live In the United States, We Can Help You File for Compensation for Your Vaccine Injury

If you were injured by a vaccine, reach out to our experienced lawyers at Shannon Law Group, P.C. Our legal team has helped others just like you, and we can offer you the guidance and assistance you need to move forward best. Call us today at (312) 578-9501, or take a moment to fill out our contact form.

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