Individuals with claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) are entitled to compensation for all costs of treating their vaccine-related injuries. The VICP also covers eligible claimants’ lost income and provides up to $250,000 in compensation for their pain and suffering. An experienced vaccine injury attorney can help you seek the full compensation available based on your individual circumstances.
For vaccine recipients, the costs associated with vaccine-related injuries can be substantial. While different types of vaccine injuries require different forms of treatment, medical care has become extremely expensive, and individuals diagnosed with all types of vaccine-related injuries can face significant financial burdens.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) can provide financial recovery in some cases.
The VICP is a federal program that covers the costs associated with vaccine-related injuries for eligible individuals. It covers injuries linked to the annual flu shot and several other common vaccines, with no cap on compensation for eligible individuals’ medical expenses. As a result, vaccine injury claims can (and should) cover all treatment costs, and claimants can work with their vaccine injury attorney to seek compensation for certain other costs as well.
What Types of Medical Care Are Covered Under the VICP?
Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), eligible claimants can seek coverage for all vaccine-related medical expenses. This includes all types of vaccine-related medical conditions, including shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), among others. Examples of medical costs covered under the VICP include:
- Diagnostic services (i.e., MRIs, ultrasounds, X-rays, blood tests, and nerve conduction studies)
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment services
- Surgical procedures
- Physical, occupational, and rehabilitative therapy
- Prescription medications and medical supplies
To be clear, the VICP only covers the costs associated with vaccine-related diagnoses. If a vaccine recipient needs medical care unrelated to the recipient’s vaccination, the costs of this care will not be covered. With this in mind, claimants should carefully track their vaccine-related medical expenses. If claimants hire a vaccine injury attorney, the attorney can help identify all covered medical costs as part of the claims process.
Another key fact to know about the VICP is that it covers eligible claimants’ present and future medical expenses. Many types of vaccine injuries—including SIRVA and GBS, among others—can have long-term effects. Some vaccine injuries can also have permanent effects.
However, unlike federal programs that pay benefits on an ongoing basis, filing a successful VICP claim results in a one-time settlement or verdict. As a result, when seeking compensation under the VICP, it is critical to have a clear and comprehensive understanding of a claimant’s long-term treatment needs. An experienced vaccine injury attorney can help with that too.
What Other Costs Does the VICP Cover?
Along with covering the medical costs associated with vaccine injuries, the VICP also covers two other categories of injury-related losses. Eligible claimants can also seek compensation for their: (i) lost earnings; and (ii) pain and suffering.
Here, the VICP also covers eligible claimants’ present and future losses. As a result, individuals with VICP claims can seek compensation not only for lost wages to date, but also for expected future earnings loss. Likewise, eligible claimants can seek compensation for their current pain and suffering and the pain and suffering they are expected to endure in the future—though compensation for claimants’ non-financial losses is capped at $250,000 under the VICP.
FAQs: Seeking Coverage for Your Medical Expenses (and Other Losses) Under the VICP
Who is eligible to file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)?
Filing a claim under the VICP is generally an option for individuals diagnosed with medical conditions linked to the vaccines listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Other eligibility criteria also apply, and timing is a key factor. As a result, individuals with questions about filing a claim should consult an experienced vaccine injury attorney promptly.
How do eligible individuals file claims under the VICP?
Filing a claim under the VICP involves submitting a formal petition to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (also commonly referred to as the “Vaccine Court”) in Washington, D.C. Claimants must also have documentation of their eligibility and the losses they are entitled to recover.
Do VICP claimants need to hire a vaccine injury attorney?
While not legally required, hiring a vaccine injury attorney to help file a VICP claim is strongly recommended. In this scenario, hiring an attorney costs nothing, as the VICP covers eligible claimants’ legal fees separately from their compensation awards.
How Our Law Firm Can Help
Our practice helps individuals and families seek compensation under the VICP. We provide comprehensive legal representation for all types of vaccine injury claims at no cost to our clients. Our services include:
- Providing a free initial consultation focused on answering all questions and providing an overview of the process;
- Conducting a comprehensive claim assessment that includes calculating the compensation our clients are entitled to recover;
- Collecting all required documentation and filing our clients’ petitions with the Vaccine Court;
- Negotiating to secure a favorable out-of-court settlement; and
- Helping our clients make informed decisions about settlement and fighting for full compensation in the Vaccine Court when necessary.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Vaccine Injury Attorney Today
If you have questions about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), we invite you to contact us. One of our experienced attorneys will be happy to provide the information you need to feel confident about your next steps. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a vaccine injury attorney at Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, call us at 202-775-9200 or tell us how we can reach you online today.