Vaccination Injury in Bellingham, WA

The Washington State Department of Health asserts that vaccinations are essential to keeping a family healthy. Furthermore, they prevent highly contagious and severe diseases from devastating communities.

However, rare risks and injuries can happen to patients in Bellingham. When they happen, the stress around the event can make you feel at a loss about what to do. This unfortunate reality is why we created this short but detail-packed guide. Give yourself a few moments to take a breath and make a plan with us 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 Bellingham, Washington 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 Bellingham. 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 Bellingham vaccination injury lawyer.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Clinical studies suggest the long-term prognosis for CIDP is relatively unknown. Considering the potential seriousness of the condition, that should worry patients in Bellingham

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy attacks the nerves and weakens the extremities. Ultimately, the disorder can result in paralysis.

Fainting (Syncope)

The CDC identifies three vaccines with a particular risk of causing patients in Bellingham to faint. In particular, adolescents have a harder time with these vaccinations:

• Tdap

• MCV4

• HPV

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Bellingham, WA 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

Bellingham 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?

Exploring your options after a vaccination injury should start by exploring the HRSA website. Bellingham residents will find several resources and eligibility details. We will provide some illustrations of common vaccines and how current federal laws can apply.

Polio Vaccines

The Washington State Department of Health identifies two types of polio vaccines used today: IPV and OPV. The former is an injection, and the latter is a live oral vaccination. Generally, the IPV version is significantly more common in the United States. Its associated injuries and timelines identified as having coverage in the Vaccine Injury Table are:

• Fainting within one hour of receiving an injection of IPV

• Shoulder injuries that present in the 48 hours following vaccination

• Allergic reactions that arise within four hours of administration of the vaccine

Varicella Vaccine

According to the Washington State Department of Health, 90% of people who receive this vaccine do not contract chickenpox. Moreover, it can prevent more severe symptoms adults are more susceptible to when they get sick.

In rare circumstances, the vaccination itself can cause the virus to spread throughout the body. Accordingly, the HRSA will accept petitions under this unfortunate circumstance.

Rotavirus Vaccine

The State of Washington recommends infants receive the first dose of this vaccine at two months. When parents follow through as expected, it can prevent significant suffering. Severe dehydration can be a dangerous consequence from its cyclical symptoms. Diarrhea, vomiting, and other concerning problems are well-established when the rotavirus attacks the body.

One exceedingly rare but dangerous injury that may happen to children in Bellingham is intussusception. This condition causes blockages in the bowels when intestines slide together. In the worst circumstances, surgery is necessary to save a patient’s life.

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 Bellingham, Washington, 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 Bellingham 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. In total, most legal determinations will fall on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. But you will want to consult your Bellingham vaccination injury attorney for full details.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Bellingham, Washington

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 Bellingham, WA 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 Washington 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!