Beginning immediately after the administration of the influenza vaccine, patients should pay close attention to signs and symptoms of a possible vaccine-related injury.
Within 1 hour – VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE
Vasovagal syncope triggers your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly and you may faint. This may be a side effect of the administration of the vaccine.
Within 4 Hours – ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
Some vaccines carry with them a small risk that the patient will experience anaphylaxis or a serious allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the mouth, or breathing difficulty. The patient could go into anaphylactic shock, which may result in death. If this occurs within 4 hours of receiving a flu shot, the injury may have been caused by the vaccine.
Within 48 hours – SHOULDER PROBLEMS
Administration of the flu shot can cause a variety of shoulder issues, such as bursitis, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears or adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder. If following receipt of the vaccine, an individual experiences prolonged pain, stiffness, diminished strength, or a reduced range of motion, they could have Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA).
3 – 42 Days – UNEXPLAINED WEAKNESS OR OTHER NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS
If an individual begins to experience unexplained neurological symptoms like numbness in arms and legs or is diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), their symptoms may have been caused by the receipt of the vaccine. Symptoms of GBS can include muscle pain or weakness, numbness and/or tingling sensations in the extremities (which generally begin at the feet and progress upward), difficulty walking or standing for long periods, or difficulty speaking or breathing. When the symptoms develop after 3 days but within 42 days of receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine, the injury may have been caused by receipt of the flu vaccine.
DOCUMENT YOUR MEDICAL ISSUES
You need to document and get a diagnosis for your medical issues by seeking immediate medical attention. You must see a neurologist if you have neurological symptoms. Your medical records must document the onset and diagnosis of these symptoms in order to pursue a vaccine injury claim.
COMPENSATION FOR VACCINE INJURIES
There is a special court in Washington, D.C. that only handles vaccine claims. In order to protect vaccine manufacturers from civil suits for claims of vaccine-related injuries, an injured party or his/her representative must bring a claim requesting financial support through the federal National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This is a special court established within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, commonly referred to as the “Vaccine Court.” All vaccine claims are managed and adjudicated by the Office of Special Masters, which consists of eight special masters who are appointed to serve for four year terms. The statute of limitations requires that a claim be filed with the Vaccine Court within 3 years from the onset of the first symptoms. If the event of a vaccine-related death a claim must be filed no later than 2 years from the date of the death.
Lamothe Law Firm is one of the few law firms specially licensed to assist vaccine injury victims to get financial compensation and at no cost to our clients. When the flu shot results in illness, disability, or death, you may need an attorney who is familiar with the unique laws and procedures associated with a vaccine injury claim and who has a demonstrated history of successful outcomes. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
