In 2018, we helped numerous individuals and families secure financial compensation for vaccine-related injuries and illnesses under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Combined, our clients received nearly $4.5 million in compensation. The following is an overview of the average award received by our clients, along with a breakdown of the most-common vaccines and vaccine-related injuries involved in VICP cases we successfully handled during the year.
Average Award in VICP Claims During 2018
On average, our clients received just over $115,000 in financial compensation for successful VICP claims during 2018. This includes a high of $545,000, and a low of $42,892. Exactly one third of our clients received at least $100,000, and just over 10 percent of our clients received $200,000 or more. The median award was approximately $85,000.
Most-Common Vaccines in Successful VICP Claims During 2018
The majority of the clients for whom we secured financial compensation in 2018 contacted us about injuries they sustained as a result of the annual flu shot. Nearly 85 percent of the claims we resolved in 2018 involved flu shot injuries. This was followed by tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP) at just over 10 percent, and Prevnar (the vaccine for pneumococcal disease) at just over five percent.
Most-Common Vaccine Injuries in Successful VICP Claims During 2018
Nearly 85 percent of the cases we handled in 2018 involved shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). We secured financial compensation for clients diagnosed with SIRVA following flu shot, TDAP and Prevnar vaccinations. We also represented multiple clients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), and our largest award of the year involved a claim for the chronic variant of GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
Our 10 Largest National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Awards from 2018
The following are the 10 largest compensation awards our firm obtained for clients under the VICP during 2018:
- $545,000 for CIDP resulting from a flu shot
- $375,000 for GBS resulting from a flu shot
- $351,158 for GBS resulting from a flu shot
- $200,000 for GBS resulting from a flu shot
- $188,252 for SIRVA resulting from a flu shot
- $173,443 for SIRVA resulting from a TDAP vaccination
- $135,000 for SIRVA resulting from a Prevnar vaccination
- $132,500 for GBS resulting from a TDAP vaccination
- $130,000 for GBS resulting from a flu shot
- $108,400 for SIRVA resulting from a flu shot
Compensation for vaccine-related injuries and illnesses in VICP claims is determined by the individual claimant’s injury and the extent of his or her financial and non-financial losses. As a result, prior results are not indicative of the compensation available to new claimants. For full VICP claim statistics (including successful and unsuccessful claims filed by represented and unrepresented claimants), you can view the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Monthly Statistics Report dated January 1, 2019.
Are You Entitled to Financial Compensation?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SIRVA, GBS, CIDP or any other vaccine-related injury or illness, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation about your legal rights. To discuss filing a VICP claim with vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant, please call 202-775-9200 or inquire online today.