Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that sometimes happens after people get vaccines. This disorder causes the immune system to attack the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to muscle weakness, numbness in the feet and legs, and sometimes paralysis. GBS is typically treated with IVIG, which is a treatment made from human plasma that contains antibodies. People who suffer from GBS can file a claim for compensation with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created in 1986 to compensate people who have been injured by vaccines. Since then, the program has awarded more than $3.7 billion in settlements. The NVICP paid out $85 million in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) settlements according to a report in 2016. GBS is just one of many disorders that can be covered by the NVICP. If you or someone you know has been injured by a vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation.
If you have received a GBS diagnosis after getting a vaccine, you may be able to seek compensation. Read on to learn more about Guillain-Barre lawsuit settlements through our Sadaka Law attorneys. Then contact our team for a free case review.
What Actions Should You Take if You Suffer From Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare but serious side effect of certain vaccines. GBS typically begins with a few unexplained sensations in the body, such as tingling in the hands or feet. Then, these symptoms disappear before the more noticeable signs of GBS occur. GBS can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, and even death. Although the exact cause of GBS is unknown, it is believed to be triggered by an immune response to the vaccine. As a result, GBS is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Over time, GBS can present the following symptoms:
- Weakness on both sides of the body
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty with eye muscles and vision
- Coordination problems
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Pins and needles sensations in the extremities
- Abnormal blood pressure or heart rate
- Digestion problems
- Bladder control problems
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after a vaccine or infection, you should seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor can review your symptoms and perform a spinal tap to check for changes in your cerebrospinal fluid protein. They can also attempt to discover the source of the disorder, such as a recent flu vaccine, viral infection, or case of diarrhea.
Once you receive a GBS diagnosis, you can begin thinking about filing a claim. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a strict 3-year statute of limitations in most cases.
Treatment Options for GBS
While GBS can have devastating consequences for some, around 70% of people with GBS experience a full recovery. Receiving intensive treatment can improve the outcomes for sufferers of GBS.
Physicians can treat GBS with acute care and rehabilitative care. Initially, GBS sufferers can receive plasma exchange therapy or immunoglobulin therapy to interrupt immune-related nerve damage.
As symptoms begin to improve, individuals can regain strength through rehabilitative treatment. If sufferers do not recover fully from GBS, occupational therapy can help them learn new ways to navigate daily tasks.
In about 30% of cases, GBS can lead to long-term weakness lasting more than three years after symptom onset. In addition, many GBS sufferers experience ongoing fatigue that requires them to rest often.
Vaccines That Can Trigger GBS
Experiencing GBS after receiving a vaccine is rare. However, some GBS cases result from vaccines.
In the past, individuals have contracted GBS after receiving one of the following vaccines:
The exact reason these vaccines can trigger GBS is unknown. However, researchers believe immune stimulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of GBS. Because vaccines target the immune system, researchers can guess that GBS is a direct response to this immune stimulation.
Can You Sue Someone if You Suffered From Vaccine-Related GBS?
If you or a loved one is suffering from vaccine-related GBS, you can file a lawsuit against the federal government. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that streamlines the process of recovering compensation from a vaccine-related injury.
While you must file a lawsuit to receive a settlement from this program, the lawsuit process is much simpler than a traditional civil lawsuit. Through this lawsuit, you would sue the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which is a department of the federal government.
There is no cap on the compensation you could receive through this program. As a result, you can factor past and future losses into your settlement. However, hiring an experienced vaccine injury attorney to assist you can help you increase your settlement amount and navigate the lawsuit process smoothly.
Average Lawsuit Settlements for Vaccine-Related GBS
The compensation you can receive after a Guillain-Barre diagnosis depends on your circumstances. These cases are often very complex and can involve multiple diagnoses, like CIDP, a condition that is similar but different than GBS. However, at Sadaka Law, we have helped numerous clients receive sizeable Guillain-Barre lawsuit settlements.
Here are some examples:
- We helped a 42-year-old executive and father of two recover over $5,000,000 after suffering Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) from the influenza (flu) vaccine.
- In another case, we helped a nine-year-old Wisconsin boy recover more than $2,145,459.00 after suffering Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) after receiving a Hepatitis A vaccine.
- We also helped an adult male receive more than $300,000 after suffering GBS from a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine.
- In another case, we helped an adult female receive a $150,000+ total settlement, with a $110,00 lump sum award, after suffering from GBS and other medical issues from an influenza vaccine.
When you hire our Sadaka Law firm to represent you in your GBS lawsuit, we will put our skills and experience to work to do our best to get you the compensation you deserve.
Factors Affecting Guillain-Bare Lawsuit Settlements
Several factors can impact your settlement from a GBS lawsuit.
GBS Onset
In order to receive a settlement from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you must provide evidence that your GBS onset resulted from a vaccine.
The federal government uses skilled attorneys to defend or settle petitioners’ claims. Presenting a sound case against these experienced attorneys can be challenging on your own, which is why hiring a vaccine injury attorney is essential.
If you have clear evidence linking your GBS to a vaccine, you will likely receive more compensation than if the connection is unclear.
Severity of the GBS
The severity of your GBS symptoms can also impact your settlement. When you file a GBS lawsuit, the court will determine your compensation by calculating the expenses you incurred from your diagnosis. These expenses can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you have a less severe case of GBS, your settlement will reflect the actual expenses related to your case, and your payment will be on the low end. However, if your GBS has led to long-term complications, you can expect a higher payout from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Guillain-Barre Lawsuit Settlements
New York has a three-year statute of limitations for vaccine injury claims. You must file your VICP claim within three years of the GBS onset or two years after a vaccine-related death.
If you’ve put off filing a vaccine injury lawsuit, now is the time. Our qualified attorneys can walk you through the steps to secure compensation through the VICP and move forward from your GBS diagnosis.
What is Compensated for Vaccine-Related GBS?
When you file a claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, you can request compensation for a few types of expenses related to your illness:
- Medical expenses: Medical evaluations, x-rays, treatments, medications, rehabilitation therapies, and other costs directly related to diagnosing and treating your Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Lost wages: Lost income from the time you have taken of work due to your sickness, and future lost wages due to your loss of ability to work
- Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress resulting from your diagnosis
How to Find the Best Vaccine Injury Attorney to Represent You for a GBS Case?
Choosing a qualified vaccine injury attorney is essential in maximizing your GBS settlement. Here are a few qualities to look for in a vaccine injury lawyer:
- Experience: Your attorney should have plenty of experience helping clients seek compensation for GBS diagnoses.
- Dedication: Your attorney should have the time and passion necessary to receive the best possible outcome from your case.
- Licenses: Your attorney should have the necessary qualifications and licenses to practice in New York.
You can feel confident hiring our Sadaka Law team to represent you in a GBS case.
What is The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)?
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that provides settlements to people experiencing injuries from vaccinations.
The federal government created this program in the 1980s after lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers threatened to reduce vaccine availability across the U.S. This program offers a no-fault alternative to the typical legal system, allowing vaccine manufacturers to continue producing vaccines without taking a financial hit.
The VICP follows this process:
- You file a petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- The Department of Health and Human Services reviews your petition and determines whether you meet criteria.
- The Department of Justice creates a report to submit to the court.
- The court holds a hearing for both sides to present evidence.
- The court orders the Department of Health and Human Services to award compensation.
Contact our Sadaka Law team today to learn more about Guillain-Barre lawsuit settlements and request your free case review.
