Seeking compensation for vaccine-related Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) starts with filing a lawsuit under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Learn what to expect during your vaccine lawsuit from experienced vaccine attorney Leah Durant.
Even when the physical consequences are not permanent, being diagnosed with GBS following a vaccination can have lasting effects. From medical bills to pain and suffering, the financial and emotional consequences of an unexpected illness can take a toll that lasts far beyond the final doctor’s visit. For individuals diagnosed with permanent conditions or who will eventually experience a relapse, the effects of vaccine-related GBS can last a lifetime.
For individuals diagnosed with GBS following a vaccination (most commonly a vaccination against tetanus or influenza), the good news is a federal government program, called the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), is intended to make it easier to secure a financial recovery. While securing compensation under the VICP involves filing a lawsuit, the process is nothing like pursuing a traditional civil lawsuit against a hospital or pharmaceutical company.
About the VICP
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with vaccine-related GBS, here are three things you need to know about filing a vaccine lawsuit under the VICP:
1. How it Works
When a person files a lawsuit under the VICP, the case goes to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (commonly called the “Vaccine Court”) in Washington D.C. Unlike traditional personal injury lawsuits, vaccine lawsuits are filed against the government, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The DHHS is represented by government attorneys, who have the authority to either defend or settle petitioners’ claims. Special procedures are involved, and the government’s attorneys are skilled at what they do, so individuals seeking compensation under the VICP will be well served to hire an experienced vaccine lawyer to represent them.
2. Compensation Available for Vaccine-Related GBS
Three primary forms of compensation are available under the VICP to individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related GBS or one of its variants. These are:
- Medical and rehabilitative expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
The compensation available for expenses and lost earnings under the VICP is unlimited. This means that all past and future losses can be recovered. Compensation for pain and suffering under the VICP is capped at $250,000.
3. No-Cost Legal Representation
A key aspect of the VICP is that it covers petitioners’ legal fees separately from their awards of compensation. Unlike other types of cases where attorneys can collect a third or more of their client’s settlement or verdict, the petitioner in a vaccine lawsuit is entitled to keep his or her full financial recovery. This means that hiring an experienced attorney for your vaccine lawsuit can come at little or no financial cost to you.
Contact GBS Vaccine Lawyer about Filing a Vaccine Lawsuit
If you would like more information about the process involved in filing a vaccine lawsuit, contact GBS Vaccine Lawyer to arrange a free, confidential consultation. Our staff is available to help review your claim, and our vaccine attorney represents clients in VICP claims nationwide. To learn more about your rights, call (202) 775-9200 or inquire online today.