Vaccine injuries are not common, but they do occur. Luckily, adverse reactions to vaccines are generally mild, with minor side effects experienced for a short time period. However, vaccine injuries that cause extended suffering, pain, and lifelong problems are not unheard of. And sometimes vaccinations lead to death. If you or a loved one has experienced an injury due to a purportedly safe vaccine, then our Philadelphia vaccine injury attorney at The Weitz Firm, LLC wants to help.

Complicated Claims Process

Compensatory damages to vaccine injury victims are generally paid by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). However, the claims process is a tedious and difficult one. In order for claimants to be compensated for their damages due to vaccine injuries, the claim must meet all of NVICP’s strict and complicated legal parameters. NVICP, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, requires clinically proven evidence in order for claims to be considered valid.

Vaccine Injury Claims

Despite the rarity of vaccine injuries, the NVICP has paid almost $4 billion in damages to injured parties since its inception in 1988, with around 6,500 claims successfully filed. Claims cover medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering for vaccine injury victims. All vaccine-related illnesses and injuries are covered by the NVICP.

Some common injury-causing vaccines include:

  • Tetanus-toxoid vaccines
  • Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines
  • Polio vaccines
  • Hepatitis A and B vaccines
  • Type B influenza vaccines
  • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines
  • Rotavirus vaccines
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
  • Seasonal flu shots
  • Meningococcal vaccines
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines
  • Any vaccine recommended by the CDC

Injuries range from anaphylaxis to shoulder-related injuries due to vaccine administration and vasovagal synocope. Rheumatoid arthritis, intussusception, brachial neuritis, and transverse myelitis are also among the most-reported injuries due to vaccine administration.

Notably, the NVICP does not cover vaccine injuries related to COVID-19 vaccines. Injuries that are sustained due to COVID-19 vaccines are covered under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) since they were declared for use during an emergency (the pandemic). Unlike the NVICP, which has an established injury table that details covered injuries, the CICP has not established an injury table for COVID-19 vaccine injuries. CICP claims are filed directly with HHS and include only damages for medical costs and lost wages.

Our Philadelphia Vaccine Injury Attorney—An Advocate for the Injured

The process of filing a claim for compensation with NVICP is a tedious undertaking due to the stringent requirements of HHS when it comes to proving that an injury occurred. Claims can be denied if they are not prepared and handled appropriately. Because of this, reaching out to an experienced Philadelphia vaccine injury attorney is a smart move.

Discuss your vaccine injury case in more detail with The Weitz Firm’s experienced and compassionate Philadelphia vaccine injury attorney. Reach out to The Weitz Firm, LLC for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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