Vaccination Injury in Springfield, MA

Have you heard of the 21st Century Cures Act?

This legislation included an expansion of coverage for the Vaccination Injury Compensation Program. As a result, you may have improved odds when you submit a petition. Furthermore, an attorney in Springfield could identify reasons to pursue other litigation through state or federal courts. This process begins with the details in this quick guide.

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 Springfield, Massachusetts 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 Springfield. 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 Springfield vaccination injury lawyer.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Massachusetts General Hospital describes ITP as a blood disorder that affects clotting. As a result, a patient in Springfield could experience easy bleeding, bruising, and purpura. Many cases caused by a vaccination will respond to treatment, but chronic problems are possible.

Thrombosis (Blood Clot)

Thrombosis after vaccinations became a point of concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the problems are rare, and researchers argue the clots COVID can create are far worse. Patients with concerns about their medical history should schedule an appointment with their doctor in Springfield.

Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Springfield, MA 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

Springfield 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 situations that justify claims from Springfield are often in the Vaccine Injury Table. Accordingly, it is worth taking the time to consider a few examples from the most current version.

Vasovagal Syncope (Fainting) and Meningococcal Vaccines

Passing out is often less about the medication than a response to stress. For example, clinical trials have shown that teenagers have a higher likelihood of having this response. If they experience vasovagal up to one hour after administration in Springfield, that can justify civil action.

Anaphylaxis and Hepatitis A Vaccines

Allergic reactions to medications administered to patients in Springfield are serious events. They require immediate medical interventions to prevent the worst consequences.

Since Hepatitis A is common, it is worth examining what the Vaccine Injury Table offers. Under current guidelines, the allergic reaction must happen in four hours or less from administration to qualify.

Intussusception and Rotavirus Vaccines

Medical researchers note that intussusception after rotavirus vaccination is rare enough they can become overlooked. However, the blockages it can create in the intestines can be deadly. According to the Vaccine Injury Table, only cases 1 – 21 days from immunization in Springfield qualify for a petition.

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 Springfield, Massachusetts, 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 Springfield 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 Springfield usually depend on the judgment of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Under the right circumstances, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts will take up the case.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Springfield, Massachusetts

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 Springfield, MA 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 Massachusetts 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!