Learn Everything You Need to Know if Your Child has Been Diagnosed with a COVID Vaccine Injury from an Experienced Attorney for COVID Vaccine Claims
As a parent, learning that your child has been harmed can be devastating. This is especially true when your child’s harm resulted from something you did to try to keep them safe. Unfortunately, while the COVID vaccines are considered generally safe for most people, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can lead to serious injuries and illnesses in some cases. If your child has been diagnosed with a serious health condition after getting a COVID shot, we strongly encourage you to speak with an attorney for COVID vaccine claims about your family’s legal rights.
Serious Child Injuries and Illnesses Linked to COVID Vaccination
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generally consider the COVID vaccines to be safe for both children and adults, and the CDC advises that getting vaccinated is safer than maintaining the increased risk of COVID-19 infection that comes without immunization. However, the CDC also acknowledges that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can lead to serious health complications in some cases. For children (and adults), these potential complications include:
Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction) to a COVID Vaccine
As the CDC explains, anaphylaxis is “a severe type of allergic reaction[ that] can occur after any kind of vaccination.” This includes vaccination against COVID-19. While anaphylaxis is generally treatable with prompt medical intervention, children may not exhibit symptoms right away—and parents may not realize that their child is experiencing a severe allergic reaction until they have already left their child’s vaccination site.
Early warning signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, wheezing, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and a sudden drop in blood pressure. In some cases, children may experience hives, red or pale skin, and other physical symptoms as well. Parents who have concerns about anaphylaxis after their child’s COVID vaccination should consult with a doctor promptly, and they should also talk to an attorney for COVID vaccine claims about their legal rights.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) from a COVID Vaccine
The CDC has reported “higher than expected rates” of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) diagnoses following non-mRNA COVID vaccinations. This includes diagnoses among children. According to the CDC:
“Based on an analysis of data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), the rate of GBS within the first 21 days following J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination was found to be 21 times higher than after Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccination. After the first 42 days, the rate of GBS was 11 times higher following J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination. The analysis found no increased risk of GBS after Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccination.”
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a potentially serious health condition that currently has no known cure. While prompt treatment can help mitigate the risk of serious complications, children who contract GBS from a COVID vaccination may experience symptoms or relapses for the rest of their lives. As a result, if a child exhibits symptoms of GBS following a COVID vaccination (common early symptoms include trouble breathing, speaking or chewing; trouble walking; bowel or bladder issues; blurred vision; and severe pain), it is important to see a doctor right away and talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Myocarditis from a COVID Vaccine
The CDC notes that myocarditis after a COVID vaccine is rare, and it reports that, “[t]o date, evidence indicates that the benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of myocarditis.” Even so, this means that myocarditis is a concern associated with COVID vaccination among children, and parents who get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 should be aware of the symptoms of myocarditis as well. These symptoms include:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fatigue
- Feeling lightheaded
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
Flu-like symptoms after a COVID vaccine can potentially be symptomatic of myocarditis as well.
What is myocarditis? The American Heart Association describes myocarditis as, “a serious though rare condition where inflammation develops in the myocardium, or middle muscular layer of the heart wall.” As the American Heart Association goes on to explain, “[m]yocarditis can weaken the heart and its electrical system [causing] the heart’s ability to pump blood [to] decline[].” In the most severe cases, myocarditis can lead to stroke, heart failure and premature death.
Pericarditis from a COVID Vaccine
Pericarditis is another potentially serious heart condition that has been linked to COVID vaccination. As the American Heart Association explains, pericarditis is characterized by, “inflammation of the pericardium, a sac-like structure with two thin layers of tissue that surround the heart to hold it in place and help protect it from damage from infection and malignancy.”
Early symptoms of pericarditis include general chest pain, a sharp or stabbing pain, and pain that gets worse with certain movements or bodily functions (such as coughing, swallowing, lying down or leaning forward). According to the CDC, most cases of pericarditis linked to COVID vaccination have been reported after administration of an mRNA vaccine.
Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) from a COVID Vaccine
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is another health risk for children who receive the COVID vaccine. While extremely rare, TTS can cause low platelet count and blood clots—both of which can potentially have serious, if not life-threatening, consequences.
Vaccine-induced TTS is not unique to COVID vaccination. The risk of vaccine-induced TTS is well known; and, as a result, while TTS from a COVID vaccine is rare, your family’s doctor should be able to provide an accurate diagnosis. As with all other child-related injuries and illnesses from vaccines, the key is to seek treatment promptly—and for parents to err on the side of caution if they have any concerns for any reason.
Shoulder Injuries Related to COVID Vaccine Administration (COVID SIRVA)
Another child-related injury risk associated with COVID vaccination is the risk of shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Just like other vaccines, COVID vaccines must be administered properly in order to mitigate the risks involved. Various vaccine administration errors can cause injuries regardless of the vaccine being administered. These include common errors such as:
- Inserting the needle at less than a 90-degree angle
- Injecting the COVID vaccine too high on the shoulder
- Injecting the COVID vaccine too low on the arm
- Using a wrong-size needle (i.e., using a needle intended for adults instead of a smaller needle that is suitable for a child)
- Failing to follow all necessary sanitation and cold chain procedures
If your child is experiencing severe shoulder pain or other adverse effects following a COVID vaccination, you should seek a diagnosis and any necessary treatment for your child promptly. If your child receives a SIRVA diagnosis, you should talk to an attorney for COVID vaccine claims promptly as well.
FAQs: Filing a Claim if Your Child was Harmed By a COVID Vaccine
Are the COVID Vaccines Safe for Children?
The CDC considers the COVID vaccines to be generally safe for children, and it recommends vaccination against COVID-19 beginning at six months of age. However, while the COVID vaccines may be generally safe for children, like all vaccines, they can cause injuries and illnesses in some cases.
Does Health Insurance Cover COVID Vaccine Injuries for Children?
If you are concerned that your child may have an injury or illness caused by a COVID vaccination, making sure your child receives the medical treatment he or she needs should be your first priority. If you have health insurance, your carrier should provide coverage consistent with the terms of your policy. However, your family may be entitled to financial compensation as well; so, while you should rely on your insurance coverage for now, you should also speak with an attorney about your family’s legal rights.
Can Parents Seek Financial Compensation if Their Child is Diagnosed with a COVID Vaccine Injury or Illness?
Generally speaking, yes. Parents can seek financial compensation if their child is diagnosed with a COVID vaccine injury or illness. However, understanding (and protecting) your family’s legal rights can be challenging, so we strongly recommend speaking with an attorney for COVID vaccine claims as soon as possible.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Attorney for COVID Vaccine Child-Related Injury Claims?
Our firm represents families in child COVID vaccine injury cases at no out-of-pocket cost. Once you get in touch, we will arrange for you to speak with an experienced attorney for COVID vaccine child-related injury claims as soon as possible, and then you will be able to rely on your attorney’s advice to make informed decisions about your next steps. No matter what, you pay nothing unless we help your family recover just compensation.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with an Attorney for COVID Vaccine Claims Today
If you would like to know more about hiring an attorney for a child-related COVID vaccine injury claim, we encourage you to contact us promptly. We represent families in vaccine injury claims nationwide. To speak with an experienced attorney about your family’s situation in confidence, please call 202-775-9200 or request a free, no-obligation consultation online today.