Vaccination Injury in California
Did you know we have the smallpox vaccine thanks to a surgical assistant treating a milkmaid?
Vaccinations have allowed many Californians to lead lives that previous generations did not think possible. Furthermore, they are a vital part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of these essential advancements, their administration by healthcare professionals is not always perfect.
Federal programs and civil litigation exist for anyone injured while receiving a vaccine. If you know how to take advantage of them, you can protect yourself and your family from hefty medical bills. Discover how you can get started through our article and consider scheduling a consultation 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 California 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 California. 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 California?
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 California vaccination injury lawyers.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
CIDP is rare, but it has a known association with vaccination injuries. It happens when the autoimmune system attacks tissues in the body. The resulting symptoms for a patient in California can include:
- A tingling sensation in the arms or legs
- Losing balance while walking
- Weakening muscles in the extremities
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
ITP is a blood disorder that can occur after receiving a vaccination. According to UCLA Health, it causes bleeding by reducing platelets that assist with clotting. In some cases, it will pass in around six months. However, there is a possibility that patients will develop chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how any California 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
California 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?
California residents may investigate which vaccines, conditions, and injuries have current coverage. You can accomplish this task by looking at the Vaccine Injury Table from the HRSA. As of 2022, the federal government allows for claims involving situations like the following:
- Chronic arthritis after a rubella virus vaccine
- A shoulder injury from the polio vaccine
- Intussusception 1 to 21 days from the rotavirus vaccine
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine has been a game changer in preventing STI-related cancers since 2006. Currently, the CDC recommends children in California receive it around 11 to 12 years old.
The HPV vaccine is safe and effective, but some injuries may occur. Anaphylaxis, shoulder injuries, and vasovagal syncope are examples identified by the HRSA.
Seasonal Influenza
According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine makes individuals 40% to 60% less likely to contract influenza. Consequently, they have become an annual part of the lives of many Californians.
These vaccinations are about as safe as any immunization can be. But, mistakes by those who administer them can cause injury to the shoulder or Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Rubella
Rubella is more commonly known as “German measles.” It presents a particular risk to pregnant women and the child they carry. Accordingly, vaccinations must happen on schedule to prevent severe complications.
The injuries associated with a rubella vaccination are similar to other well-tested shots. Moreover, it has a 97% success rate in preventing the disease.
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 California, 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 California 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.
Three federal courts may adjudicate a vaccination injury case. Your attorney can file with the U.S. District Court of the Northern, Central, or Southern District of California.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in California
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 California 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 California 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!
