Vaccination Injury in Portland, ME

Vaccines have improved the world 10 times over. Our distant relatives would never have believed there could be a world where measles, mumps, rubella, and polio had been all but destroyed. To them it was just something they had to live through; a part of life.

But while vaccines are incredibly effective, there are those rare instances where an injury occurs through the administration of a vaccine. If this has happened to you, you may want to engage the services of an experienced attorney in Portland.

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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland. 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 Portland vaccination injury lawyer.

Intestinal Distress

The Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System was created in 1990 to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccines administered to the public. It was here when the first reports of side effects of intestinal distress for the rotavirus vaccines were reported. For most, this presented as mild nausea. But for certain individuals, this distress could be continued vomiting, as well as cramps, and loss of appetite.

Sweats

While vaccine side effects can range from mild to serious, several people have experienced excessive sweating or a sudden case of sweats after they have received a vaccine. Forbes reports that there have been several cases of sudden sweats connected to the recent Covid-19 vaccine. If this persists, it could be an underlying symptom of something more serious.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Portland, ME 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

Portland 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?

Meningococcal 

Any illness caused by neisseria meningitis can be prevented through meningococcal vaccines; these are generally administered when a child is 11 to 12 years old, with a booster administered at 16. However, certain side effects are possible such as fevers, chills, nausea, diarrhea. If these persist you should contact a healthcare provider.

CDC Recommendations

The U.S. Government will cover injuries that are incurred as a result of vaccines for any new disease that the CDC recommends vaccination against. The most recent example of this is the Covid-19 pandemic. As it is recommended for all individuals to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, any injuries that result from vaccination are covered by law.

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 Portland, Maine, 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 Portland 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.

If you have experienced an injury due to a vaccination in Portland, it may be in your best interest to meet with an experienced Portland attorney. He or she will most likely begin your case by filing with the U.S. District Court of Maine.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Portland, Maine

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 Portland, ME 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 Maine 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!