Vaccination Injury in Tuscaloosa, AL
Just as technology has moved the world forward through inventions like the computer and the cell phone, vaccinations have had a tremendous impact on our society as a whole. They’ve improved the human experience by controlling diseases that were once thought to be inevitable for all.
Still, there are some who have been injured during the vaccination process. If this is your situation, you may want to reach out to an experienced attorney in Tuscaloosa.
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 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 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 Tuscaloosa. 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 Tuscaloosa vaccination injury lawyer.
Neuritis
Neuritis is an inflammatory response in which the nerve endings are attacked. This can be caused by injection, injury, or autoimmune response. As vaccines have sometimes been known to trigger autoimmune responses, neuritis has become a common side effect.
AutoImmune Disorders
Healthline states that an autoimmune disorder is a condition wherein the body attacks and attempts to destroy healthy cells as if they were an invader, codifying healthy cells as if they were a virus. Doctors are still searching for answers as to why vaccines can cause autoimmune disorders in certain individuals. These disorders can disrupt whole bodily systems, such as the digestive system, or the endocrine system.
Vaccination-Related Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries may occur due to how Tuscaloosa, AL 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
Tuscaloosa 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 Vaccine Injury Table gives a comprehensive look at the different injuries that can be associated with certain vaccines. It also lists a timeframe to measure these injuries. If symptoms fall within the timeframe, it is assumed that the vaccine caused the injury.
Polio
Polio, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord functions has all but been eliminated thanks to vaccination. However, there can be side effects from this vaccine. They include, but are not limited to:
- Fever
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Vasovagal Syncope
- Anaphylaxis
Rotavirus
According to the Center for Disease Control, rotavirus is a double stranded rna virus that is one of the main causes for diarrhea in children. The vaccine to prevent this virus is administered orally through drops, rather than an injection. Still, there have been instances of this vaccine causing bowel disorders, such as intussusception.
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 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 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 Tuscaloosa 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.
The Federal Court for the Northern District of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa. If you have been injured during vaccination, this may be where your experienced Tuscaloosa attorney chooses to file your case.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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 Tuscaloosa, AL 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 Alabama 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!
