MEASLES VACCINE INJURY ATTORNEY

Measles vaccines, specifically MMR vaccines, are meant to protect us from Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. However, like all vaccinations, there is a chance of complications and side effects. It is crucial to get in touch with a doctor and a vaccine injury attorney if you or a loved one had an adverse reaction to a measles vaccine. If you experienced an injury such as Encephalitis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or long-lasting shoulder pain after receiving a measles vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

At DuPont and Blumenstiel, our vaccine injury attorneys in Dublin, Ohio work tirelessly to pursue justice on behalf of our clients and their families. We represent vaccine injury clients throughout the United States.

Measles Vaccines and the Vaccine Injury Table

There are three vaccines on the Vaccine Injury Table that contain the measles virus.

1. MMR: Measles, Mumps and Rubella

2. MM: Measles and Mumps

3. MMRV: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella

These vaccines are on the injury table because certain adverse reactions occur often enough after vaccination that the vaccine is presumed to cause said injury.

The importance of qualifying as a “Table Injury” is that the Court will award you compensation for your injury unless the opposing counsel is able to demonstrate that something other than the vaccine actually caused your injury or adverse reaction. Unfortunately, only some injuries are considered a “Table Injury”.

Here are two of them.

Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Measles Shot

Thrombocytopenic Purpura is a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. As a result of low levels of platelets, bruising and bleeding can occur.

Symptoms can include:

• Skin that bruises very easily

• Skin rash of small red dots that are the result of very small bleeds

• Bleeding from any area of the body

• Bleeding from the gums

• Frequent nose bleeds that take a long time to stop

• Blood in the vomit, urine, or stool

• Internal bleeding

• Long/heavy menstrual periods

If you or your child experienced any of these symptoms after receiving the measles vaccine, an adverse reaction may have occurred.

In order to qualify for the presumption of causation under the Injury Table, the first onset of symptoms must have occurred between 7 and 30 days after receiving the vaccine.

If you are worried about you or your child qualifying for compensation, we can help. Give us a call at 614-389-9711 for a free case evaluation.

Vaccine-Strain Measles Viral Disease

This occurs when an immunocompromised person develops measles from the vaccine. Symptoms include:

• Fever

• Rash

• Cough

• Nasal congestion

• Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”)

If you or your child experienced any of these symptoms after receiving the measles vaccine, an adverse reaction may have occurred.

There are two different timeframes on the injury table for this condition.

First, if the vaccine strain is identified through lab testing, there is no timeframe for when the first onset of symptoms must occur. Second, if a strain determination test is not done, or if laboratory testing is inconclusive, the first onset of symptoms must occur within 12 months of the vaccination.

If you are worried about you or your child qualifying for compensation, we can help. Give us a call at 614-389-9711 for a free case evaluation.

What is in the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is one of the most common types of measles vaccines. It is meant to protect us from three infectious viral diseases: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It typically is administered in two doses. Children normally receive their first dose between the ages of 12 and 15 months, and their second dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years.

• MEASLES (M) is characterized by fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, which are frequently followed by a rash that covers the entire body. It can cause seizures, ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia. It is considered the most dangerous of the three diseases.

• MUMPS (M) is characterized by fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands beneath the ears. It can cause deafness, brain and/or spinal cord swelling, and in rare cases, death.

• RUBELLA (R) causes fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and eye irritation. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella, she may miscarry or have a baby with serious birth defects.

Possible Side Effects of the MMR Vaccine

MMR vaccines have a low risk of side effects but can still cause harm Mild and moderate illnesses can range from a fever and a light rash to a seizure and brief joint pain. Occasionally, the MMR can cause serious adverse reactions.

The following are a few examples of severe side effects that could result from receiving the MMR vaccine:

• Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

• Anaphylaxis

• Transverse Myelitis (TM)

• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

• Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

• Chronic Arthritis

• Encephalitis

• Long-term seizures

• Other immunological reactions

If you were diagnosed with any of these injuries after receiving an MMR vaccine, it’s important to contact an experienced vaccine injury attorney. There are time limits on when to file a claim.

Can I receive compensation after an MMR vaccine injury?

Yes, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was established by the federal government to provide financial assistance to those who sustain injuries as a result of certain vaccines such as the MMR vaccine. The program is funded by taxes imposed upon each vaccine sold.

If you've been injured by a vaccine and want to seek compensation for your injuries and damages, you will need to file a claim with the Federal Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. You could be entitled to compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, and past and future pain and suffering.

Pursuing compensation through the Federal Court of Claims is a complex process. Consequently, many people choose to hire legal representation. If you experienced an adverse reaction after receiving an MMR vaccine, it’s important to contact an experienced vaccine injury attorney as soon as possible. There are time limits on when to file a claim, so it is important not to delay. At DuPont and Blumenstiel, our vaccine injury attorneys work tirelessly to pursue justice on behalf of our vaccine-inured clients.

LEARN IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A CLAIM

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE HERE

Who can file a claim with the NVICP?

You may file a petition if you:

• were injured after receiving a covered vaccine,

• are the parent or legal guardian of a child or disabled adult who received a covered vaccine, and you believe they were injured by it, or

• believe that a covered vaccine caused the death of a family member or loved one.

Are There Any Restrictions on Presenting a Claim and Obtaining Compensation?

There are some important limitations on who can successfully pursue a vaccine claim.

To qualify for compensation, your symptoms must have lasted for six months or longer, required extensive hospitalization and surgery, or resulted in death.

Finally, you must file your claim (called a “petition”) with the Federal Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. before the Statute of Limitations expires.

Statute of Limitation Deadlines for Vaccine Injury Claims

Just like many other areas of law, vaccine injury claims have a statute of limitations.

For cases in which the petitioner did not die, the statute of limitations is 3 years from the first onset of symptoms. At DuPont & Blumenstiel, we like to play it safe and base our cases on the date of vaccination. For cases in which the petitioner died, the statute of limitations is 24 months from the date of death, but not more than 4 years from the date of vaccination.

It's important to keep these deadlines in mind so you don't miss them! If you believe you've suffered an adverse reaction to a vaccine, the time to act is now.

Will I Have to Pay Attorney’s Fees and Case-Related Expenses?

Understandably, many people worry that they will be held responsible for paying attorney’s fees if they decide to pursue a vaccine claim. One great aspect of the NVICP is that our clients don’t have to pay our fees or case-related expenses. The Federal Court of Claims will pay the attorney's fees and other legal costs.

Hiring a Vaccine Injury Attorney

Receiving compensation through the NVICP is complex, which is why it’s important to consult with a vaccine injury lawyer. An experienced vaccine attorney will be able to help you better understand your options. Don't wait. There are deadlines to file your claim. The experienced vaccine injury attorneys at the Law Offices of DuPont and Blumenstiel can help. Call us today at 614-389-9711 for a case evaluation.

Want to learn more about the NVICP? Download our Consumer's Guide to Vaccine-Related Injuries here.