In the first two years of life, a child in the United States should receive ten vaccinations/immunizations against eight major diseases: Polio, Masles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles), Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Diphtheria, Tetanus and Haemophilus. Adults are also receiving vaccines in an effort to prevent and/or lessen the effects of chickenpox, flu, pneumonia and other illnesses. More vaccines are being developed everyday to protect against other communicable diseases. Although the majority of children and adults who receive vaccinations do not suffer any complications or only mild reactions, a small percentage suffer severe reactions that result in permanent damage, including seizure disorders, neurological injury, global developmental delay, behavioral disorders, blood disorders, autoimmune reactions, mental retardation and death.

In 1986, Congress passed The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Act to establish a no-fault program to compensate individuals permanently injured or killed as a result of a childhood vaccine. This fund now also recognizes and compensates both children and adults who have been injured by vaccines. Claims for possible vaccine injuries must be filed the United States Court of Federal Claims within three (3) years of the date the vaccination was given. If a claim for medical malpractice or product liability is filed with the court instead of in the vaccine program, then the right to apply for compensation under the fund is lost. In order to bring a claim for vaccine injury, all the relevant medical records must be obtained, the onset and type of symptoms must be ascertained, and supporting evaluations by medical experts are required in most instances.

Only attorneys admitted to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims can represent victims of vaccine injury. Britcher, Leone & Roth has three attorneys admitted to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and has handled vaccine injury claims for children and adults. With the growing number of vaccines coming to market, it is important to be aware of possible vaccination injuries and the availability of no–fault compensation.

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