Vaccinations save lives and prevent dangerous diseases, but children and adults can suffer severe and permanent adverse reactions in very rare cases. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about working with a vaccine lawyer, obtaining compensation for injuries, and more.
How do I receive compensation for an adverse vaccine reaction?
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program set up to compensate people injured by certain vaccines. A claim can be filed by a qualified vaccine injury lawyer on behalf of the person injured by one of the vaccines covered by the VICP. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims decides who will be compensated.
To be eligible to file a claim, the effects of the vaccine reaction must have lasted for more than six months after vaccination, resulted in a hospital stay and surgery, or resulted in death.
Why is it important to be represented by a vaccine lawyer?
Most people have a lawyer file a vaccine injury claim, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. Obtaining compensation is much simpler for victims this way, as an experienced attorney knows how to navigate the complex claims process. They can ensure all the necessary legal documentation is submitted for review by the court in a timely manner.
It’s important to remember that the VICP – not the victim – pays all lawyer fees and other related legal costs if certain minimal requirements are met.
Does my vaccine injury lawyer have to work in my state?
No. It’s more important to contact a lawyer with vast experience and success with vaccine reaction claims.
What are the deadlines to file a vaccine injury or death claim?
The general filing deadline for an injury is three years after the first vaccine injury symptom. For vaccine death cases, a claim must be filed within two years of the death and four years after the start of the first symptom of the related injury from which the death occurred.
When a vaccine is newly covered by the VICP or a new vaccine reaction is added to the vaccine injury table, claims that do not meet general filing deadlines must be filed within two years from the date the new item is added to the table for injuries or deaths that occurred up to eight years before the change.
What is the next step if I suspect a vaccine caused me or my child to suffer an adverse reaction?
Filing a claim is likely the last thing on a patient’s mind after he or she has developed a serious adverse reaction. However, contacting a qualified vaccine injury lawyer is crucial to protecting a patient’s legal rights and seeking compensation for the unexpected medical bills and other resulting expenses.
Contact Anapol Weiss if you or a family member developed an adverse reaction to a vaccine. We can answer your legal questions and begin the claim process at no cost to you.
