Meningococcal Vaccine Lawsuit
If the meningococcal vaccine caused you or your child to develop a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), you could receive up to $250,000 from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Overview
The meningococcal vaccine helps protect against bacterial meningitis, a serious disease that occurs when meningococcal bacteria infect the brain and cause inflammation of the tissue lining the brain and the spinal cord.
How is the Meningococcal Vaccine Given?
All meningococcal vaccines are given in 0.5-mL injections with a needle. The vaccine is administered into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm for teenagers and adults. It is administered into the thigh muscle for infants and young children.
Meningococcal Vaccine Names
There are 6 different meningococal vaccines:
- Menomune® MenACWY
- Menveo® MenACWY
- Menactra® MenACWY
- Trumenba® MenB
- Bexsero® MenB
Can Meningococcal Vaccine Cause SIRVA?
When meningococcal vaccines are injected too high or too deep into the shoulder area, patients may develop Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA).
What is SIRVA?
SIRVA causes severe shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and muscle weakness. It can cause permanent disability. SIRVA occurs when the immune system over-reacts to the vaccine being injected into sensitive tissues in the arm, such as the shoulder bursa.
Symptoms of SIRVA After Meningococcal Vaccine
- Arm pain
- Shoulder pain
- Intense, stabbing pain
- Shoulder dysfunction
- Limited range of motion
- Lack of flexibility
- Inflammation
Meningococcal Vaccine Lawsuits
Meningococcal vaccines rarely cause SIRVA, but it can cause a lifelong disability. If you or your child was diagnosed with a shoulder injury after receiving a meningococcal vaccine, you may be interested in filing a lawsuit with the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). You could be eligible for up to $250,000 in financial compensation.
What is the VICP?
In the 1980s, vaccine manufacturers and Congress worked together to create the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). They imposed a $0.75 tax on the sale of every vaccine in America, with the money going into a fund to be paid to people who were inevitably harmed by vaccine side effects like SIRVA. This also prevents people from filing individual injury lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers.
Over $70 Million Paid in SIRVA Lawsuits Since 2011
Since 2011, around 500 people who developed a shoulder injury after receiving a vaccine have been paid nearly $70 million by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The maximum payment is $250,000, but the average payout per person is around $140,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent disability, and other injuries.
