In some cases, physicians and scientists are unable to determine the exact cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). However, there is strong evidence linking GBS to certain vaccinations. Physicians have accepted the link between certain vaccines and GBS for almost forty years. If you were diagnosed with GBS or a GBS variant that resulted after a flu or tetanus vaccination, you may be entitled to financial recovery.
While vaccines used in the United States today are generally considered to be safe, the use of vaccinations does not come without risks. As a result, individuals with known risk factors are advised to check with their doctors when making decisions regarding the receipt of certain vaccines.
One risk that has been studied extensively is the risk of being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following the receipt certain vaccines. Although the exact physiological cause of GBS remains largely unknown, doctors have identified a link between GBS and the vaccinations for tetanus and influenza (the flu). GBS is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention, and if you have been diagnosed with GBS following receipt of a vaccination, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the federal government for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income.
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack the nervous system. This is known as an autoimmune response. Instead of targeting potentially-dangerous pathogens (like bacteria and viruses), the immune system’s antibodies target the myelin sheath which protects the body’s nerves, and may even target the nerve cells’ signal-carrying axons. In severe cases, the nerve damage caused by GBS can lead to paralysis. When GBS affects the respiratory system, patients can experience difficulty breathing and may need emergency medical intervention in order to avoid fatality.
What are Known Treatments for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Because the cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is often unclear to physicians, there is no known cure for this disease. However, once you have been diagnosed with GBS, there are a number of treatment methods that have proven highly effective in fighting the body’s autoimmune response and in reducing ones chances of experiencing a relapse of this condition. These treatment options include plasma exchange therapy, immunoglobulin therapy, physical therapy, ventilatory assistance and other forms of mechanical intervention.
What are the Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
The symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) result from the diseases’ effects on the nervous system, and are similar to the symptoms of many other neurological disorders. To help ensure an accurate diagnosis, it is critical that individuals experiencing the symptoms inform their doctors of all recent vaccinations. Most individuals who are diagnosed with GBS first notice sensations of weakness or tingling that radiates from the lower body, and is often followed by unsteadiness, severe pain, increased heart rate and other symptoms.
GBS Vaccine Lawyer | Nationwide Legal Representation for Flu and Tetanus GBS Claims
Under the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), individuals who are diagnosed with vaccine-related Guillain-Barre Syndrome can seek financial compensation without the need to sue their doctor, vaccine administrator, or manufacturer. Vaccine Attorney Leah Durant represents clients in vaccine-related GBS claims nationwide and she has handled many vaccine cases for clients all over the country.
If you would like more information about your rights under the VICP – including your right to no-cost legal representation – please call (202) 775-9200 or contact us online today.