Vaccination Injury in Rhode Island
Did you know over 4 billion vaccinations covered by the HRSA happened from 2006 to 2021?
Out of these astronomical numbers, around 1 in 1 million who filed civil actions received compensation. In total, this news should comfort many Rhode Island residents. This data means, that the overwhelming majority of those vaccinated should not suffer injuries.
If the unfortunate circumstance of being injured by a vaccine does occur, it can feel like the odds are not on your side. However, genuine cases can and do have their day in court. If you want to get started, this quick guide will help you assess your odds and find highly-qualified legal counsel.
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island vaccination injury lawyers.
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the development of a blood clot that can have serious health consequences. It can be deadly or cause brain damage in patients from Rhode Island. According to the NATF, there is also a 20% chance they can return within four years.
Vasovagal Syncope
The Immunization Action Coalition suggests having patients wait 15 minutes after vaccination to see how they respond. Vasovagal syncope, or fainting, does not pose a danger under the right conditions in Rhode Island. However, there can be traumatic consequences if someone is on the road or strikes their head on a hard floor.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how any Rhode Island 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
Rhode Island 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?
Vaccination recipients in Rhode Island that suffer injuries will want to look into the HRSA program. This federal department manages the response to petitions from inoculation patients. While they do not cover every circumstance, they have options for the most common occurrences.
You can find examples of how the system works in the following sections.
Rotavirus Vaccine
The Rhode Island Department of Health requires rotavirus vaccinations before enrolling in childcare facilities. This inoculation prevents a series of symptoms that can leave children dangerously dehydrated. A rare but frightening injury that may happen is intussusception. If this happens to your child within 21 days of vaccination, you have an obvious case for legal compensation.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Vaccine (Hib)
The Rhode Island Department of Health recommends that Hib vaccination start when a child reaches their first birthday. The urgency is due to the fact that it can cause severe infections. It is one of the safest and well-tested vaccines in use today. Accordingly, it is telling that federal compensation programs focus on fainting or shoulder injuries.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The Hepatitis B vaccine requires three to four shots over six months. Otherwise, the symptoms and conditions that can follow an infection are:
- Jaundice
- Nausea
- Dark urine
- Liver damage
There are several normal but rare injuries that can happen with this vaccination in Rhode Island. Included among them are vasovagal syncope, shoulder injury, or anaphylaxis.
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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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.
As for lawsuits, your case will likely be adjudicated by the U.S. District Court of the District of Rhode Island.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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!
