Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Patients with the disease experience discomfort, and in some cases, GBS can lead to death. GBS affects men and women of all ages, and researchers link it to several causes, including the common flu vaccination. If you or a loved one has been affected with GBS, learn how to identify the disorder and gain compensation for your damages.
GBS begins when the peripheral nervous system weakens due to attacks from the body’s immune system. Weakness and tingling in long extremities, such as the arms and legs, are typically the first signs of GBS. Symptoms can become so severe that the muscles are essentially paralyzed. Some cases of GBS affect breathing and heart rate. If not treated promptly, GBS can be life threatening.
The majority of GBS cases appear after a viral or bacterial infection. Medical experts believe some viruses have the ability to alter the nature of the nervous system cells so that the immune system does not recognize them. The immune system destroys the myelin sheath surrounding peripheral nerve axons, which aids in the transmission of nerve signals, because its altered structure makes it appear as though it is a foreign object. The Campylobacter jejuni bacterium and Epstein-Barr virus are common causes of GBS.
In rare but serious occurrences, GBS develops a few days after the individual receives a vaccination. Researchers believe the small amounts of a virus contained in vaccines triggers the immune system to attack the body, but no studies have been conclusive. For cases in which an administered vaccine could be the cause of GBS, the services of a personal injury lawyer can be helpful.
GBS currently has no cure, but some therapies speed up the recovery process. Plasma exchange removes blood and separates the red and white cells from the liquid (plasma) part of the blood. Immunoglobin therapy involves protein injections to give a boost to the immune system. Doctors are unsure why these therapies help, but what they do know is the body usually heals on its own if kept at a high-functioning level. Recovery from GBS can last from a few days to a few years, and some patients experience relapse.
GBS became prevalent in 1976 when the swine flu virus appeared on the scene. According to the Institute of Medicine, nearly one out of every 100,000 people who had received the swine flu vaccine developed an increased risk for GBS. Today, there are roughly 80 to 160 cases of GBS every week in the United States.
Following the increase of GBS cases in the late 1970s, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was established to help those negatively affected by vaccines. Individuals can file a petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. It will then be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which makes a determination regarding the link between the vaccine and claimed injury. The determination is used to help the U.S. Department of Justice make a legal report, which is presented to a special master who decides the amount and type of compensation.
GBS can be debilitating disorder, even after the patient recovers. The added stress of dealing with a petition and navigating the federal court system can be too much for many affected individuals. Enlisting the assistance of a lawyer can take the stress off of the patient and help to maximize the compensation received.
The legal team at Knutson + Casey has experience recovering damages from a vaccine-related injury in Minneapolis. If you or someone you know if suffering from GBS or any other illness that could be linked to a vaccine, call our firm today for a no-risk evaluation. Our attorneys can look at the damages and provide compassionate, quality services to get you the compensation you deserve.