Vaccination Injury in Albany, NY
Do you know how much the federal government has paid for vaccine injuries?
The HRSA reports the vaccine compensation program has paid over $4.9 billion as of 2021. Moreover, they have helped patients in places like Albany negotiate settlements for their suffering.
While these efforts are admirable, your case deserves individual attention. Discover how you can get the legal counsel you deserve in this unique area of law 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. A qualified Albany, New York 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 Albany. 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 Albany vaccination injury lawyer.
Febrile Seizures
Infants that receive a vaccination can quickly develop a fever. In some circumstances, this development can also cause a febrile seizure. Unfortunately, a child in Albany may harm themselves during the jerky movements that this creates.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
The symptoms associated with ITP can look alarming. Patients in Albany can have red or purple spots appear on their skin. The reason for this occurrence is a reduction in platelets that aid with blood clotting. In 2021, News 10 in Albany reported that some who received the COVID-19 vaccine experienced this condition.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Albany, NY 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
Albany 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?
Vaccination injuries in Albany can result in receiving compensation from the federal government. Your eligibility will depend on whether your circumstances match the Vaccine Injury Table. Some vaccinations and associated conditions that meet the present criteria are below.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a serious STI that has links to genital warts and cancers. According to the New York State Department of Health, 1 in 4 sexually active Americans has the virus. Consequently, the vaccine has been a critical development for public health. The side effects for a patient in Albany are generally mild and can include the following:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fever
- Swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site
IPV Vaccine
An IPV vaccine contains an inactivated poliovirus to inoculate the recipient from the disease. Since polio used to ravage children and cause lifelong damage, vaccination is critical to keeping people healthy. Any known cases could make headlines in Albany. For example, the New York State Department of Health warned that the virus appeared in wastewater samples. Only the usual risks associated with vaccination apply, such as shoulder injuries or an allergic reaction.
Varicella Zoster (Chickenpox) Vaccine
Many parents in Albany may associate chickenpox exclusively with childhood. However, this disease can cause even more severe complications in adults. If you or your child experience one of the following injuries, you may receive compensation from the HRSA:
- Anaphylaxis
- Shoulder Injury
- Disseminated Varicella Virus
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 Albany, New York, 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 Albany 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.
A civil lawsuit in a federal court is equally, if not more complicated. In Albany, this civil action starts by filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Albany, New York
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 Albany, NY 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 New York 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!
