Are You Experiencing Reduced Range of Motion After a Vaccine? You May Have a Claim for SIRVA
Experiencing reduced range of motion after vaccine administration can be a sign of various types of shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Any time you have concerns after a vaccination, it is important to consult with a doctor promptly; and, if you receive a SIRVA diagnosis, you will want to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights.
Why? Because SIRVA are covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). If your reduced range of motion is the result of a vaccine-related injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other costs. You can hire a lawyer to handle your VICP claim at no cost to you, and you can rely on your lawyer to handle your claim while you focus on your recovery.
The Link Between Reduced Range of Motion and Vaccines
The link between reduced range of motion and vaccines has to do with errors during the vaccine administration process. Using a wrong-size needle, inserting the needle at the wrong angle, inserting the needle in the wrong location and various other issues can damage the tissue beneath the skin. This damage can lead to a variety of vaccination-related shoulder injuries—which are collectively known as SIRVA.
Reduced range of motion is a symptom of many forms of SIRVA. While often treatable, reduced range of motion can also be permanent in some cases. Many patients who experience permanent reduced range of motion following a vaccination error will experience other long-term effects as well, including chronic pain and muscle weakness, among others.
Signs that Reduced Range of Motion May Be Caused by a Vaccine
How do you know if reduced range of motion after vaccine administration is the result of a vaccination error?
While every patient’s circumstances are unique, the most obvious sign is that the reduction in shoulder mobility onsets within 48 hours of vaccination (though it can also onset later in some cases). If reduced range of motion is accompanied by other common SIRVA symptoms, this is a likely sign of a vaccination-related issue as well. Some examples of other common SIRVA symptoms include:
- Pain that persists more than 48 hours after vaccination
- Pain that worsens instead of improving or that extends down the arm
- Loss of muscle strength
- Loss of sensation or numbness
- Unusual feelings or sounds when attempting to move or rotate the shoulder (i.e., grinding or crackling sounds or sensations)
For anyone who has concerns about a possible vaccination-related shoulder injury, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. With many types of SIRVA, an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can be essential for mitigating the risk of long-term (or permanent) effects, including long-term reduced range of motion.
Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis for Vaccine-Related Reduced Range of Motion
When seeing a doctor for reduced range of motion after vaccine administration, it is important to inform your doctor of your recent immunization. Reduced range of motion in the shoulder can have a variety of other causes (including hereditary and age-related causes), so you will want to make sure your doctor knows that your condition could be vaccine related.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing reduced range of motion from a vaccine typically starts with a physical examination. After completing your physical exam, your doctor may then request an MRI, ultrasound or x-ray so that he or she can see the internal damage to your shoulder. In some cases, reduced range of motion can be caused by inflammation (and may go away with rest); but, in other cases, it can be linked to rotator cuff tears and other internal injuries that may require surgery.
Treatment
As we just mentioned, treatment needs for vaccine recipients with reduced range of motion will vary depending on both the cause and the severity of their condition. Other health-related factors can come into play as well. With many types of SIRVA, prompt treatment can be essential for mitigating the risk of long-term (or permanent) effects, so it is important to seek treatment promptly if you have concerns about your shoulder following a vaccination.
Prognosis
A complete recovery will be possible for many vaccine recipients who seek a diagnosis and treatment promptly after beginning to experience reduced range of motion in their shoulder. But, unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Some vaccine recipients will experience lifelong complications; and, for these individuals, it will be especially important to speak with a lawyer about their legal rights.
Seeking Compensation for a Reduced Range of Motion Caused by a Vaccine
If you are struggling to cope with the effects of reduced range of motion caused by a vaccine, you may be entitled to compensation under the VICP. If you have a VICP claim:
- You can (and should) hire a lawyer to file your claim promptly. Strict time limitations apply, and there are no financial costs involved in hiring a lawyer to handle your VICP claim on your behalf. As a result, you have no reason not to seek experienced legal representation.
- You can seek compensation for your financial and non-financial costs. Under federal law, VICP claimants can seek to recover compensation not only for their financial costs (i.e., medical bills, lost earnings and other out-of-pocket expenses), but for their non-financial costs (i.e., pain and suffering) as well.
- You may be able to obtain compensation without going to court. While there is a “Vaccine Court” in Washington D.C. that handles VICP claims, many successful claims settle long before they are scheduled to go to trial.
Talk to a Lawyer About Filing a VICP Claim for Reduced Range of Motion After a Vaccine
If you would like to know more about filing a VICP claim for reduced range of motion after vaccine administration, we invite you to get in touch. To discuss your legal rights with an experienced vaccine lawyer in strict confidence, please call 202-775-9200 or request a free initial consultation online today.