Vaccination Injury in Alabama
Are you aware of the immunization resources available from the Alabama Department of Public Health?
Have you heard the CDC has an app for Americans to report vaccine injuries?
There are many stressors and anxiety-producing events that follow this unfortunate event. However, you do not want to allow those overwhelming feelings to prevent you from finding help. You can find what you need to make a plan in our quick guide today.
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. An experienced Alabama 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 Alabama. 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 in Alabama?
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 may want to speak with Alabama vaccination injury lawyers.
Seizures
Medical research has found that certain vaccinations have a higher risk of seizures than others. For example, there is an elevated risk from the DTP vaccine within 8 to 14 days of receiving it. Alabamans that suffer through this type of event could suffer serious harm without nearby help.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
The actual cause of RSD or CRPS is not well understood. Regardless, it is a known phenomenon that happens after receiving a vaccination. The pain will exceed what individuals from Alabama experience at first. The necessary follow-up treatments can include the following:
- Antidepressants
- Anesthetic creams
- Nasal sprays
- Over-the-counter pain medication
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how any Alabama health professional administers 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
Alabama 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?
There is a document called the Vaccine Injury Table that patients in Alabama will want to reference. This publication from the HRSA says what vaccinations and their associated conditions or injuries are eligible. For instance, a few of the specifics that may apply to your circumstances are:
- Encephalopathy after receiving a measles vaccine
- Intussusception due to injury after a rotavirus vaccination
- Shoulder injury from an influenza shot
- Suffering anaphylaxis from the Hepatitis B vaccine
Measles
Measles, or rubeola, is a virus that can do significant harm or be fatal to children. The risk for this disease has reduced significantly since its introduction for public use in 1963. For example, the CDC has collected data on only 24 cases as of October 2022.
Vaccination shots for measles could have several complications due to mistakes or malpractice in Alabama. Anaphylaxis, vasovagal syncope, or shoulder injuries are among the possible outcomes.
Rotavirus
The symptoms of rotavirus can cause extreme dehydration that requires hospitalization. This circumstance is dangerous for young children in particular.
Unlike other vaccinations, infants in Alabama receive the rotavirus vaccine with mouth drops. The most significant potential complication is intussusception, which can be fatal.
Diphtheria
At one time, diphtheria caused many deaths among children in the United States. When the bacteria that causes it infects someone, it creates a thick mucous membrane in the nose and throat. As a result, breathing problems develop and can lead to asphyxia, heart attacks, and death. While the vaccine is safe, severe allergic reactions after injection can arise.
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 Alabama, 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 an experienced Alabama 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.
Two federal judiciaries could adjudicate a vaccination injury case. Your attorney may file with the U.S. District Court of the Northern or Southern District of Alabama.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Alabama
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 Alabama 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 Alabama 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!
