For most, vaccines offer effective protection from many serious and life-threatening illnesses. When one receives a vaccination, the last thing that one expects is to suffer from a complication or debilitating side effect. In the legal world, these types of complications are referred to as vaccine injuries and, while they are extremely rare, they do occur and must be considered.
Many vaccinations are known to cause some short-term soreness at the injection site and possible mild symptoms related to the disease associated with the vaccination. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, some people experience more serious injuries. Some of the more commonly reported injuries include:
Shoulder injury (or SIRVA): shoulder injuries can occur both from the contents of the vaccine or the improper administration of the injection and can range from frequent soreness or pain to complete loss of mobility.
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS): this syndrome has been linked to a number of vaccines, including the yearly flu shot. In these cases, the immune system turns on itself, damaging nerve cells, which in turn results in muscle weakness and paralysis. Typically, GBS resolves itself within weeks, but it can cause lasting nerve damage as well.
Encephalitis: this occurs when an infection or the body’s immune system response to an infection affects the brain. Symptoms can include headache, fever, fatigue, weakness, and pain. Encephalitis can be unpredictable and should be monitored.
Anaphylaxis: sometimes, a person is allergic to the vaccine or some of the vaccine components. This can lead to a strong reactions with symptoms ranging from itchy hives to fainting and swelling of the throat.
Myelitis: although not completely understood, myelitis involves inflammation of the spinal cord that damages the motor sensory nerves. Symptoms include blurred vision, pain, weakness, paralysis, depression, bowel dysfunction, and more. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for myelitis, but treatment may offer some relief.
Remember, these sort of injuries rarely occur after receiving a vaccine, and the pros of vaccination still heavily outweigh the cons. However, if you have suffered from any of the above injuries or side effects after a routine vaccination, you should know that legal recourse is an option. Our attorneys are here for you and can help file a claim from any state in the United States at no extra cost to you.