Vaccination Injury in Charleston, SC
Did you know you may have to petition the HRSA before filing a vaccination injury lawsuit?
Due to federal legislation passed in the late 1980s, litigation may be more involved than you think. Furthermore, you may wonder if the mediated settlement process really works in your best interests.
Trying times like these can be the first time many Charleston residents consider a civil action. In response to this need, we provide essential details and the opportunity to find an attorney in this guide.
What Is a Vaccination Injury?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports vaccines contain a weakened or dead version of a disease. After injection, the body develops antibodies to specific illnesses. Effectively, this makes the recipient immune from the disease.
Most people who receive vaccines have a successful immunity boost for many illnesses. While vaccines may contain the disease, some recipients develop health problems. A qualified Charleston, South Carolina vaccination injury lawyer can help determine if you have a claim.
It can be onerous to determine how many individuals suffer harm from vaccines annually in Charleston. Furthermore, linking a vaccine injury to ongoing medical issues can be challenging. Nonetheless, the federal government offers a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to citizens.
What Are Some Common Types of Vaccination Injuries?
It is perfectly normal to experience some minor soreness around the vaccine injection site. However, vaccines should not cause significant harm. If you or a loved one has experienced pain, loss of body functions or even death, you should talk to an experienced Charleston vaccination injury lawyer.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
ITP is a vaccination injury that can cause excessive bleeding in patients from Charleston. While this disorder can be due to a vaccine, it can also happen because of other conditions. Some medications, chronic infections, and even cancers may cause idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Parsonage-Turner Syndrome
You may not realize you have Parsonage-Turner syndrome until sharp and sudden shoulder pain strikes. As time passes, it can lead to weakness or paralysis down the affected side. Generally, 1 to 3 people per 100,000 in Charleston will experience this brachial neuritis at some point in their lives.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Charleston, SC health professionals administer the vaccine. Alternatively, the contents of the vaccine can cause harm.
Symptoms may range from ongoing pain at the injection site to a complete loss of muscle movement in the arm. While often temporary, vaccination-related shoulder injuries may be permanent.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Research has linked Guillain-Barre syndrome to different types of vaccines, one of which is the annual flu shot. The condition happens when the immune system attacks itself, causing damage to nerve cells.
While the symptoms vary, they often include paralysis and muscular weakness. These issues typically resolve within a few weeks. But, Guillain-Barre syndrome may cause permanent nerve damage. This injury may result in loss of motion, paralysis, and other ongoing complications.
Anaphylaxis
Charleston healthcare professionals should check for known patient allergies. If a vaccine recipient happens to be allergic to the ingredients in the vaccine, the injection may cause a reaction. Symptoms may include hives, fevers, fainting, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. Regrettably, an individual may not realize they have an allergy until after receiving the vaccination.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis sometimes happens when there is an infection in the body. It can also be part of the body’s response to an infection. This condition results in swelling of brain tissue.
Some common symptoms of encephalitis are pain, fever, headaches, fatigue, and weakness. While these problems may resolve in a few weeks, doctors must track this potentially life-threatening condition.
Myelitis
While encephalitis is swelling of the brain, myelitis involves spinal cord inflammation. Nonetheless, doctors and scientists do not completely understand the causes of myelitis.
Still, some patients have developed spinal cord inflammation after vaccine injection. Swelling around the spinal cord may cause a variety of complications. Symptoms may include paralysis, pain and loss of muscular control.
What Are Some of the Vaccines, Conditions, and Injuries Covered by Law?
Obtaining compensation usually starts with the Vaccine Injury Table. Patients that suffered may find a reason to petition the HRSA after reading it. Accordingly, we offer these explanations of how the process could work for a patient from Charleston.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
South Carolina Oncology Associates notes that children should receive two rounds of the Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose happens between 12 to 23 months of age, followed by a second at least six months later. Typical reactions include a fever or loss of appetite. But, the following injuries may entitle a family or individual in Charleston to compensation:
- A fainting incident up to one hour after receiving the shot
- An injury to the shoulder that becomes evident 48 hours or less after inoculation
Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccine
The CDC describes meningitis as the swelling of membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain.
Walgreens reports there are two meningococcal vaccines you could receive in Charleston. According to the current Vaccine Injury Table, there are three potential injuries that justify a petition or civil action:
- Shoulder Injury
- Vasovagal Syncope
- Anaphylaxis
Varicella Vaccine
WebMD reports that chickenpox poses the most risk to those with weak immune systems in Charleston. Additionally, it can be a dangerous condition for an adult who hasn’t had the disease previously. As a result, getting vaccinated against an infection can prevent much suffering. The rare circumstance when the live virus in the vaccine disseminates may result in significant compensation.
What Is the Legal Process for a Vaccination Injury?
Even if the symptoms you experienced after your vaccine are not in the above list, you may still have a vaccination injury.
If you have sustained an injury from a vaccination in Charleston, South Carolina, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should also seek a legal opinion as quickly as possible. A vaccine-related injury can result in extreme consequences that interfere with your life. Accordingly, you may be able to pursue financial compensation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Hiring a qualified Charleston legal professional can help determine if you qualify for compensation.
A lawyer can also explain your other legal options. For example, you could file a lawsuit against the vaccine manufacturer. In other cases, you may sue the healthcare professional who administered the vaccine.
The claims process is very complex. If you do not properly assert your claim, you may receive a denial and jeopardize your odds of receiving compensation. Generally, most of these determinations will be the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court in Charleston.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Charleston, South Carolina
The purpose of a vaccine is to improve your quality of life by keeping you healthy. Unfortunately, if you suffer an injury after a vaccination, your life may never be the same again.
While you may be able to receive financial compensation for your vaccine injury, the process is not easy. Therefore, hiring an experienced Charleston, SC vaccine injury attorney is essential. It will greatly impact the quality of assistance and settlement you may receive.
If you are looking to hire a vaccination injury lawyer, we are here for you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across South Carolina state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
