Vaccination Injury in Billings, MT

Did you know the HRSA has paid over $4.9 billion to Americans injured by vaccines?

These medical events are rare enough that patients in Billings may not know their options. Thankfully, harm from getting vaccinated is not a regular occurrence.

Regardless of the frequency, you deserve individual attention for the suffering you experienced. Make plans through this guide today and consider a consultation with a local attorney to make them happen.

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 Billings, Montana 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 Billings. 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 Billings vaccination injury lawyer.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) 

The American Society of Hematology characterizes ITP as an autoimmune disorder that attacks platelets in your blood. The effect this has on patients in Billings is an impaired ability to form blood clots. As a result, nosebleeds or gum bleeding can be an early indicator of a problem. Moreover, even a minor cut could result in excessive bleeding.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

The GBS/CIDP Foundation International describes CIDP as a rare peripheral nerve disorder. When it occurs, the myelin sheaths that protect the nervous system get damaged or destroyed. Generally, new cases happen in 1 or 2 per 100,000 individuals. While few people in Billings are likely to suffer from CIDP, it is known to transpire shortly after receiving a vaccination.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Billings, MT 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

Billings 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?

The injuries covered by federal law depend on a few factors. For example, not all vaccinations have coverage through the HRSA, and timing is critical. There are a few illustrative examples of how this could work for Billings residents are provided below.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines

Pneumococcal disease can lead to grave infections in your brain, lungs, and blood. According to the Montana Immunization Program, children under two years old have the highest risk of complications.

Under the current Vaccine Injury Table, two injuries have coverage by law for this vaccination. First, you can petition when a shoulder injury presents within 48 hours of the injection. In addition, fainting in less than an hour from the administration is eligible for compensation.

HPV Vaccines

A recent study by the University of Montana found that rural areas have significantly lower HPV vaccination rates. This turn of events presents a potential health hazard for places like Billings. After all, the CDC reports most sexually active people will have the human papillomavirus at some point.

The timelines for rare but persistent injuries that can occur are as follows:

• One hour after administration – vasovagal syncope (fainting)

• Four hours after injection – anaphylaxis

• 48 hours from receiving the vaccine – a shoulder injury

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Montana DPHHS describes Hepatitis B as a condition that can cause liver disease or cancer. Accordingly, vaccination against the virus can be a life-saving choice for patients from Billings. Fainting, shoulder injuries or allergic reactions are a few minor complications you may experience.

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 Billings, Montana, 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 Billings 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. This fact means that experience is essential when your case files with the U.S. District Court in Billings.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Billings, Montana

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 Billings, MT 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 Montana 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!