Congress in 1986 passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (“the Act”) and established the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The Act was passed as a response to a considerable amount of vaccine-related injuries and deaths that resulted in litigation in the early to mid-1980’s.
The Act acknowledges that vaccine injuries and deaths are real and that the vaccine injured and their families should be financially supported. However, the Act takes the position that protections are needed for the vaccine manufacturers of these vaccines to prevent manufacturers from leaving the market resulting in vaccine shortages and reduction of U.S. vaccination rates, in fear of a resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases. Despite abundant science published in mainstream medical and scientific journals suggesting cause for concern about safety of vaccines, our government has decided – right or wrong – that it is okay for a few to be sacrificed for the greater good of the country. Congress passed the Act with the position that by doing so, Congress was recognizing society’s interest in ensuring that this country’s children are vaccinated.
LLF Attorney Michelle Cumberland is specially licensed to assist vaccine injury victims to get financial compensation from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims “Vaccine Court” through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
For more information about the program, click here.
