The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) publishes monthly updates on vaccine injury claims under the National Vaccine Injury Program (VICP). On January 1, 2020, it published year-end data for 2019.
The 2019 VICP data shed light on some interesting trends regarding the quantity, type and success rate of vaccine injury claims. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Total VICP Outlays Surpassed $4 Billion in 2019
Total outlays from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation program surpassed $4 billion in 2019. This includes compensation awarded to petitioners and legal fees paid to petitioners’ attorneys. The vast majority of the total outlays (nearly $3.9 billion) represent payments for petitioners’ medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. At the current rate of VICP claim compensation, total payments to petitioners should top $4 billion in 2020.
2. 2019 had the Third-Highest Total Number of Compensated Claims Ever
For only the third time ever, the total number of compensated claims eclipsed 600 in 2019. Last year, the Court of Federal Claims (also known as the “Vaccine Court”) awarded compensation to 653 petitioners. After peaking in 2016 and 2017 (with 689 and 706 compensated claims, respectively), the number of awards dipped to 522 in 2018.
3. Total Compensation Under the VICP Hit a Seven-Year Low
Notably, while the number of compensated awards increased in 2019, the total compensation awarded hit a seven-year low. In 2019, the VICP awarded just over $196 million in compensation to the 653 successful claimants – compared to just under $200 million in compensation paid to 522 claimants in 2018. From 2013 to 2017, total compensation under the VICP exceeded $200 million each year, and it topped $250 million in 2013 and 2017.
4. The Vaccine Court Dismissed Less Claims in 2019
Another notable comparison is that while the number of successful VICP claims increased in 2019, the number of dismissed claims decreased. In fact, 2019 saw the fewest dismissed claims since 2007, with the exception of 2015.
5. The Number of VICP Claims Filed Hit a 16-Year High
In 2019, 1282 claimants filed petitions under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This is the highest total since 2006, and it is the fourth-highest total ever in the 32-year history of the VICP. The HRSA’s data do not indicate whether this is due to a rise in vaccine injuries, a rise in awareness of the VICP or a combination of both.
6. Flu Shot Injuries Continue to Be the Most-Common Cause of VICP Claims
Of the 20,175 claims filed with the VICP since 1988, more than a quarter – 5,740 – have involved flu shot injuries. Other than claims filed for “unspecified” vaccines, the next most-common vaccine cited is the DTP vaccine, with 3,286 total claims.
Contact Vaccine Lawyer Leah V. Durant
Could you be entitled to financial compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)? If you have been diagnosed with a vaccine-related injury or illness and would like to speak with an attorney, call 202-800-1711 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant.
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.