Vaccination Injury in Bangor, ME

MaineHealth reports most people who receive vaccinations only experience a sore arm for a couple days.

However, rare and potentially life-threatening conditions can happen to patients in Bangor. Since these events are quite rare, you may not feel prepared for how to deal with it. In response to this reality, we provide a brief guide to seeking compensation below.

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 Bangor, Maine 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 Bangor. 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 Bangor vaccination injury lawyer.

Seizures

Seizures are possible but relatively rare when patients in Bangor receive a vaccination. For example, a study of incidents reported to VAERS suggests 3.19 seizures per 100,000 COVID-19 vaccinations.

Going through a seizure in itself is not a particular danger. However, there could be other injuries that happen as a result. For example, a patient without someone nearby could harm themselves during unmonitored convulsions.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis, or blood clots, are a known complication for several types of vaccinations. For example, Science Magazine has covered the connections found with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. While the risks for injuries are low (1.1 per 100,000), they are persistent and deserve recognition.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Bangor, ME 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

Bangor 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?

Bangor residents seeking compensation for a vaccination injury have several legal routes available. But, the most effective start involves looking through the most recent Vaccine Injury Table.

You will need to compare your circumstances to the ones considered compensable by the government. Discover some examples that may be relevant to your situation in the next three sections.

HPV Vaccine

According to MaineHealth, the HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of its related cancers from occurring. The benefits of inoculation are why the State of Maine recommends it start at 11 to 12 years old. The injuries that may happen and when they have coverage are:

• Fainting, or vasovagal syncope, that happens up to an hour after the shot

• Manifestations of shoulder injuries within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine

• Allergic reactions or anaphylactic shock up to four hours after vaccination

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Adults over 65 are 6.1 times more likely to contract pneumococcal pneumonia than other populations. Accordingly, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated its vaccination recommendations in 2014. They suggest that all seniors living in Bangor get the vaccine to avoid severe complications. If shoulder injuries or passing out happen after the injection, you can send a petition to the HRSA.

Diphtheria 

The Maine Division of Disease Surveillance asserts vaccination is the most effective way to avoid diphtheria. The unfortunate symptoms associated with this condition include:

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Swelling of the neck
• Gray or white sticky film on the tonsils or in the nose

The Vaccine Injury Table states that diphtheria vaccines do not have eligibility for compensation. Consequently, you will have to explore other legal avenues with an attorney.

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 Bangor, Maine, 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 Bangor 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. There is a U.S. District Court in Bangor that will make this determination and others critical to your case.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Bangor, Maine

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 Bangor, ME 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 Maine 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!