Vaccine Injuries

As we enter the height of the flu season here in southern New England, many of us have either received or plan to receive our flu vaccinations. While injuries arising from these vaccinations are infrequent, in certain circumstances they can cause very serious injuries, including allergic reactions, brachial neuritis, encephalopathy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and serious injection-related injuries known as “shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration” or “SIRVA” injuries. Should you have concerns that you may be experiencing a vaccination-related injury, it is very important that you seek medical evaluation right away.

While many side effects of vaccination are mild and may not cause a serious problem, one of the most common vaccine injuries, SIRVA injuries, can be quite painful and require extended medical intervention. People experiencing SIRVA injuries typically experience significant shoulder pain in the arm where the vaccine was administered within 48 hours of receiving the vaccination. Left untreated, SIRVA injuries can significantly impact a person’s ability to use the affected shoulder due to developing conditions such as tendonitis, adhesive capsulitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears.

The impact of these injuries in terms of disabilities, pain, lost time from work and medical bills can be significant. If this happens to you or a family member, you should know that an often-overlooked no-fault avenue for injury-related compensation exists that may provide you with recourse should you sustain a SIRVA injury or other vaccine-related injury.

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was established many years ago to provide a no-fault alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving injury claims arising from certain covered vaccinations. The attorney fees for pursuing these claims are often covered by the program at the end of a claim. In order to bring a claim for compensation through this program, however, a petition and supporting medical documentation must be timely filed with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Should you or a family member experience this form of injury, we can assist. Among the excellent resources Heather Bonnet-Hebert has brought to our firm, she is licensed to practice law before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and would be happy to discuss any questions you may have about pursuing a potential vaccine injury claim.

As always, please call with any questions.