Leah Durant | Vaccine Attorney - Vaccine Blog

When you have questions about getting vaccinated, it is important that you get your questions answered. Typically, this means consulting with your healthcare provider—and it is important to rely on medical advice that is custom-tailored to your (or your child’s) unique health profile and medical history. But, if you are looking for free information online, a good resource is the CDC’s “Ask the Experts” database.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider the annual flu shot to be safe for most people, and the CDC recommends that the vast majority of Americans get a flu shot each year. According to the

When you have a claim for a vaccine-related injury or illness under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), it is important to document the costs of your injury or illness as thoroughly as possible. This includes not only your financial costs (i.e., your lost wages, medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses), but your non-financial costs as well. The VICP allows claimants to recover up to $250,000 for their pain and suffering, and one of the best ways to document your pain and suffering is by keeping a “pain journal.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a vaccine-related illness or injury, it will be important to learn about your legal rights under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP pays financial compensation to eligible vaccine recipients and their family members—and it covers most (but not all) CDC-recommended vaccines.

Attorney Leah Durant represents dozens of clients in VICP claims annually. She also publishes numerous articles on topics related to vaccine injuries and VICP claims each year. Here is a look back at some of the key insights she shared in 2023:

Understanding the Causes of Vaccine-Related Injuries and Illnesses

The causes of

When you have a vaccine injury claim, hiring a lawyer to represent you is one of the first steps toward asserting your rights under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). But, how do you choose the right vaccine lawyer for you?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a lawyer to file a vaccine injury claim on your behalf. While there is no “right” answer, it is extremely important to make an informed decision.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neurological disorder that has been linked to multiple vaccines. While CIDP is rare, it greatly impacts the lives of those who are diagnosed, and coping with CIDP’s effects can be a lifelong process.  

With this in mind, individuals who are coping with the effects of CIDP should speak with a vaccine attorney about their legal rights.

Brachial neuritis is a type of nerve injury that has been linked to the tetanus shot. It is considered a form of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), which is a class of injuries caused by errors during the immunization process.

If you have been diagnosed with brachial neuritis after getting a tetanus shot, you should speak with a vaccine injury attorney about your legal rights.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released its preliminary forecast for the 2023-2024 flu season. While the CDC has yet to release its first estimates for the geographic spread of the virus during the upcoming flu season, it has adjusted its

When you file a vaccine injury claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), your claim has three potential outcomes: (i) the Vaccine Court can award you compensation, (ii) the Vaccine Court can deny your claim, or (iii) you can enter into a settlement with the government.

Settling a VICP Claim is the Best Option in Many Cases

For many claimants, entering into a settlement is the best option. There are a couple of reasons why. First, settling your VICP claim provides certainty. Regardless of how strong your claim may be, there is no guarantee that the Vaccine Court will rule in your favor.

Each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) track the spread of the influenza virus throughout the United States. The CDC uses its tracking data to make recommendations about vaccination and to predict where the flu virus is likely to be most active during the October-to-May flu season.

The CDC makes much of this data available to the public through

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims (also known as the Vaccine Court) is encouraging claimants to be wary of fraud scams purportedly related to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Unfortunately, these types of fraud scams are not uncommon, as scam artists frequently try to prey on individuals who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.

In particular, the Vaccine Court