Vaccination Injury in Indiana
Did you suffer after receiving a vaccination in Indiana recently? As a result, have you considered filing a petition with the HRSA?
Anyone in this position should understand the full breadth of their options. Otherwise, they could take actions that limit their ability to receive the compensation they deserve. Start making some evaluations based on your circumstances 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. An experienced Indiana 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana?
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 Indiana vaccination injury lawyers.
Vasovagal Syncope
Vasovagal syncope, or fainting, is not unusual after someone receives a vaccination in Indiana. According to Healthline, there is a distinct possibility when patients receive the following:
- Tdap vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal disease (MCV4)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
SLE is the most common form of lupus, which unfortunately does not have a cure. Regardless, some treatments can help patients in Indiana manage their symptoms. Due to the nature of the disease, it is critical to stay on top of your needs. Otherwise, your autoimmune system can do serious harm to your organs.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how any Indiana 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
Indiana 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?
Patients in Indiana will need to compare which vaccination they received to their circumstances. Completing this due diligence is essential to planning how to move forward. For example, a lawsuit may be in order if you do not find a matching situation on the Vaccine Injury Table.
Meningococcal Vaccine
The CDC reports that bacterial meningitis is a severe and potentially fatal disease. Accordingly, children and teens in Indiana receive the meningococcal vaccine regularly. This vaccination can prevent catastrophic consequences such as hearing loss or brain damage.
There are three injuries associated with the meningococcal vaccine covered by federal legislation. Anaphylaxis, vasovagal syncope, and shoulder injuries can justify a claim.
Tetanus Vaccine
Many Indiana residents may associate tetanus with its most well-known symptom, lockjaw. This painful condition happens as a result of a preventable bacterial infection. It is even more crucial to get the vaccination because 10 to 20% of those who contract it pass away. The potential injuries or conditions and their time periods for coverage are:
- Anaphylaxis four hours after vaccination
- Vasovagal syncope in one hour following administration
- Brachial neuritis 2 to 28 days later
- Shoulder injury symptoms within 48 hours
Mumps Vaccine
The DHHS recommends children receive the mumps vaccine as part of their regular vaccination schedule. This vaccine is crucial to preventing the spread of this once ubiquitous and highly contagious disease. It is so effective that the Indiana State Department of Health reports less than 10 cases annually.
The side effects are generally mild and uneventful. Rash, fever, and swollen glands are possible. In rarer circumstances, children may have seizures, low platelet count, or joint pain.
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 Indiana, 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 Indiana 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.
Generally, two judiciaries can hear your vaccination injury case. The U.S. District Court of the Northern or Southern District of Indiana should have jurisdiction.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Indiana
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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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!
