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Vaccine Injury Payouts of 2018

Vaccines have been in the news plenty over the last few years, with debate ongoing about whether or not vaccines are safe. What many people are not aware of is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) that was established by the US Congress in the 1980s.

The program was created to allow those who have been injured by vaccines to file a claim and get compensation for their injuries. This is a no-fault system, but the injured person needs to show a connection between their injury and a vaccine listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

What does it mean to be awarded compensation?

According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, an award does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the injury in question. They say that:

  • 70% of all compensation awarded by the VICP comes as a result of a negotiated settlement between the parties in which an HHS review has not been concluded.
  • Attorneys fees are also covered by the VICP, regardless of whether the petitioner is awarded any compensation.

How much compensation goes out annually?

The total amount of payouts for vaccine injuries is nearly $4 billion in petitioner awards. Over $200 million in attorney fees have been covered by the VICP. These awards have been made to over 6,700 claimants.

Giving the numbers a closer analysis, we see that the number of claimants awarded has fluctuated over the last 20 years. In 2018, a total of 522 claimants were awarded compensation.

  • There was a total of $199,658,492.49 awarded to petitioners in 2018.

How was 2018 different from other years?

As we mentioned, there have been over 6,700 claimants awarded compensation from the VICP for alleged vaccine injuries. Over the years, the number of awards has fluctuated but has generally increased since 1989, the first year of payments made to claimants. Only six people were awarded compensation that year.

During the 1990s, there was an average of around 150 claimant awards each year, but that dropped significantly in the early 2000s. However, these numbers have risen steadily since 2007 and reached a peak of 706 in 2017.

How is a person able to file a claim?

The filing process was meant to be straightforward, but as with any legal and injury matter, that is not necessarily the case. You almost certainly need to secure an attorney to help with your case if you suspect you or a loved one have suffered from a vaccine injury. An attorney will be able to ensure your case is handled and presented appropriately. They will:

  • Gather all of the medical records and have them examined by a trusted medical professional.
  • Have the resources necessary to take your case and have it ready for the hearing.
  • Handle all communication between you and the people at HHS who will adjudicated your claim.

What are the most common vaccine injuries?

Some of the most common types of vaccine injuries include the following:

These injuries can only be diagnosed by a doctor. If you think you or a loved one have sustained a vaccine injury in Mankato, seek medical assistance immediately. Document all signs and symptoms and seek an attorney as soon as possible.