Vaccination Injury in Morgantown, WV

Vaccines are a cornerstone of public health that protects us from dangerous diseases. Nonetheless, we must also acknowledge that no medical intervention happens without risks.

You might think that navigating the legal system is a Herculean task. Good news—this guide aims to give you the knowledge and tools to take action.

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 Morgantown, West Virginia 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 Morgantown. 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 Morgantown vaccination injury lawyer.

Febrile Seizures

A febrile seizure is a convulsion in young children triggered by a spike in body temperature. While alarming, these seizures are generally brief and rarely lead to long-term health issues. Some vaccines, particularly the MMR vaccine, have associations with this condition. Concerned parents in Morgantown should consult their family doctor for more details.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

CIDP is an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. In exceedingly rare instances, it has occurred after vaccination. The link between vaccinations and CIDP is not fully understood. If you have concerns about vaccinations and the potential for developing CIDP, consult a healthcare provider in Morgantown.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Morgantown, WV 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

Morgantown 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?

It is worth the time to acquaint yourself with the Vaccine Injury Table. This resource outlines the vaccines and associated injuries for which compensation may be available. We have examples below of how to use this vital document.

Anaphylaxis and Varicella Vaccines

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can occur shortly after exposure to an allergen. While the risk is low—estimated to occur in less than one in a million doses—the consequences can be life-threatening. If you have a history of severe allergies, consult your healthcare provider first. If symptoms occur within 48 hours, you may have a claim to submit to the federal court system.

Intussusception and Rotavirus Vaccines

Intussusception is a form of bowel obstruction where one part of the intestine telescopes into another. While rare, some studies have indicated a small increased risk of intussusception following the rotavirus vaccine. Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the vaccine. The VICP gives a 1 to 21-day window for compensation claims under the current regulations.

What Is the Legal Process for a Vaccination Injury?

Even if the symptoms you experienced after your vaccine are not on the above list, you may still have a vaccination injury.

If you have sustained an injury from vaccination in Morgantown, West Virginia, 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 Morgantown 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.

Vaccine injury claims from Morgantown go through the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This federal judiciary exists to handle these cases exclusively.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Morgantown, West Virginia

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 Morgantown, WV 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 West Virginia 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!