Vaccination Injury in Everett, WA
Did you know you may have to report a vaccine injury to the HRSA before starting a lawsuit?
This area of law has some additional steps that Everett residents may not expect. For example, having to go through mediation efforts with the federal government first is relatively unusual. The complexities can naturally make you wonder if you should push for a trial or accept a settlement.
Ultimately, your needs will depend on your circumstances. Regardless of this fact, there is plenty of general advice that will affect how your case progresses. Demystify crucial parts of the process with us today and make a sound plan for what to do next.
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 Everett, 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 Everett. 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 Everett vaccination injury lawyer.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Kaiser Permanente defines CIDP as a neurological disorder that can damage myelin sheaths around the nerves. The resulting harm to the nervous system can result in symptoms like weakness or paralysis. While many cases will only affect one side of the body, symmetrical CIDP is possible. A patient in Everett who believes they suffer from this condition after a vaccine should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures after a vaccination happen due to developing high temperatures. An infant’s body may respond to this event with an epileptic event. Under supervision, an infant in Everett will recover quickly and without further injury. But, in other circumstances, they could harm themselves during the convulsions.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Everett, 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
Everett 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 Childhood Vaccination Injury Act of 1988 impacts your legal rights after a vaccination injury. Understanding how this federal legislation applies to your situation in Everett may be confusing. Therefore, consider these examples taken directly from the most recent Vaccine Injury Table.
MMR Vaccines
The Washington State Health Department recommends two doses of an MMR vaccine for children. Among other inoculations, Everett residents must complete this requirement before enrolling in school.
Hundreds of thousands of students receive this vaccination with only mild side effects. Regardless, there are rare events where intussusception occurs. When it does, you have a well-established reason to petition for compensation.
Pneumococcal Vaccines
The Washington State Department of Health does not mince words regarding the importance of pneumococcal vaccines. Patients in Everett can suffer from severe infections that require hospitalization and can be fatal.
There are only two injuries related to this vaccination covered by the HRSA. Shoulder issues within 48 hours or passing out within an hour have explicit protections under federal law.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Vaccines
The CDC states that Hib vaccines come in three to four doses. Some of the typical side effects a patient in Everett may experience are fever or swelling around the injection site. If one or more of the following occur, notify a medical provider immediately:
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Changes in vision
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 Everett, 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 Everett 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.
Your attorney in Everett can ensure that you present the most legally-sound case possible. For many cases, this process will involve convincing the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington of the validity of your claims.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Everett, 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 Everett, 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!
