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The Vaccine Program
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Since the inception of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) in 1988, Our firm has represented hundreds of people in the Program, resulting in millions of dollars in awards. Our dedicated attorneys, paralegals and staff are well-versed in medical-legal issues. This knowledge aids the firm in achieving excellent results for its clients.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created by Congress as a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system for resolving vaccine injury claims. It provides compensation to people found to be injured by vaccines. The law requires that claims for vaccine injuries be processed in the Vaccine Program prior to the filing of any civil lawsuit.
Vaccines covered under VICP include:
- Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DTP, DtaP, Tdap, DT, Td, or TT)
- Haemophilis influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis A (HAV)
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Trivalent influenza (TIV, LAIV)(given each year during flu season)
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR, MR. M, R)
- Meningoccal (conjugate & polysaccharide)(MCV4, MPSV4)(meningitis)
- Polio (IPV, OPV)
- Pneumococcal conjugate( PCV) (Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, cause bacterial meningitis, deaths, ear infections in children)
- Rotovirus (RV)
- varicella (VZV)(chickenpox)
- Papillomavirus (HPV)(STD, cervical cancer)
- any combination of above vaccines
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The Process
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Instead of bringing a suit against vaccine manufacturers or your doctor, a person injured must file his or her case in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (located in Washington, D.C.). Each case is defended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the defendant), represented by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
All cases are presided over by the Office of Special Masters. A special master (or judge) is assigned to every case and decides the outcome in the event it proceeds to a hearing (or trial). Cases that do not proceed to a hearing (or trial) are either settled by the parties in advance of hearing or conceded by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
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