If you have been diagnosed with brachial neuritis following the receipt of an immunization or tetanus shot, there’s a chance that it could be linked to the vaccine. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services lists brachial neuritis as one of the known adverse reactions to tetanus toxoid vaccines, which include the common DTaP, as well influenza and hepatitis B.
Brachial neuritis is a painful condition involving inflammation of the nerve bundles (brachial plexus) that send signals from the spine to the arm. Initial symptoms usually consist of sharp, sudden, and severe pain and/or burning in the shoulder and upper arm, with no apparent cause or underlying injury. This pain typically occurs anywhere from 3-10 days, sometimes weeks. After this time, the pain subsides, but it’s replaced by progressive weakness, atrophy, and/or numbness. Over time – usually 6-18 months – the symptoms gradually improve; however, some are left with residual weakness or even paralysis.
While brachial neuritis is considered an extremely rare side effect, in actuality vaccines are associated with up to 15% of all cases of brachial neuritis. These injuries are compensable under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP), and our firm is currently accepting brachial neuritis induced injury cases. So, if you or somebody you know has suffered brachial neuritis following vaccination, contact us for your free consultation. Our team of lawyers has vast experience representing individuals in the NVICP and we’d be happy to assist.