While vaccine injuries are relatively rare overall, they are more common than most people realize. Each year, hundreds of individuals file claims with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), and these claimants represent only a small fraction of the vaccine recipients who experience pain and other symptoms as a result of their vaccinations.
From allergic reactions to spinal cord damage, vaccines have the potential to cause a variety of injuries, illnesses and other potentially-dangerous medical conditions. However, two types of conditions are particularly common: (i) shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), and (ii) Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).
About SIRVA and GBS
1. Shoulder Injuries Resulting from Vaccinations
Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) results from an error during the vaccination process. This means that, unlike most other types of vaccine injuries, SIRVA can result from immunization with all types of vaccines. Pain is the most-common (and most immediate) symptom, often followed by muscle weakness, reduced strength, limited range of motion and other physical effects.
SIRVA is also unique in that it encompasses a broad range of specific types of vaccine injuries. Types of SIRVA include:
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Brachial neuritis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder bursitis
- Tendonitis
2. Flu Shot Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that has been linked to the flu shot and tetanus vaccines (DT, DTaP, DTP, Td and Tdap). Initial symptoms typically include pain in the extremities and tingling and weakness in the legs. These symptoms will usually spread gradually throughout the body, and may be accompanied by difficulty breathing, difficulty walking, loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of reflexes, and sudden changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
There are several variants of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the most common of which is Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Other variants that have been linked to the flu shot and tetanus vaccinations include:
- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP)
- Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN)
- Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN)
- Acute Panautonomic Neuropathy
- Bickerstaff’s Brainstem Encephalitis (BBE)
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS)
- Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant
Financial Compensation for Vaccine Injuries
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal government program that sets aside money for individuals who have been diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries and illnesses. While you are not required to hire an attorney to represent you under the VICP, seeking legal representation is strongly recommended; and, under the terms of the VICP, you are entitled to have your legal fees paid separately from your award of financial compensation.
Our practice is devoted to representing clients who have claims under the VICP. As you can see from our case results, most of our clients have been diagnosed with SIRVA, GBS and CIDP. This is consistent with data from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which show that the majority of successful VICP claims involve injuries from the flu shot and tetanus vaccinations.
Are You Experiencing Symptoms of a Vaccine Injury?
If you are experiencing symptoms of a shoulder injury, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or any other illness or injury following a vaccination, it is important that you see a doctor promptly. If you have been diagnosed with a vaccine injury, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. To discuss your legal rights under the VICP in confidence, call the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC at (202) 800-1711 or request a free consultation online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.