Can You Get Nerve Damage From a Vaccination?

Yes. While the vast majority of vaccines do not cause complications, some people will suffer a nerve injury like GBS, CIDP, CRPS, or brachial neuritis as a result of vaccination. This type of damage can occur in different parts of the body and will require diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional.

If you believe you have experienced nerve damage because of a vaccine, it is important to seek a formal diagnosis and consultation with a lawyer to discuss your legal options and whether you could file a vaccine injury claim.

Nerve Injuries Linked to Vaccines

There is a range of potential injuries linked to vaccines. While these injuries are rare, it is essential to be aware of each of these conditions and their symptoms so that you can get help fast.

• Bell’s Palsy
• Brachial Neuritis
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Narcolepsy
• Opsoclonus-myoclonus Syndrome (OMS)
• Optic Neuritis (ON)
• Transverse Myelitis
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is a symptom of damage to facial nerves. Bell’s palsy can be caused by a number of things, including vaccines.

Learn more about bell’s palsy

Brachial Neuritis or Parsonage-Turner Syndrome

Brachial neuritis is a peripheral nerve neuropathy that can impact your arms, hands, shoulders, and chest. While symptoms can vary, a primary sign of brachial plexus neuropathy is reduced nerve function and pain.

The condition derives its name from the area that it affects – the brachial plexus. This is a series of nerves that connects the chest, arms, hands, and shoulders to the spinal cord. This condition is largely associated with tetanus-containing vaccines and the influenza vaccine but has also been linked to other vaccines like MMR.

Learn more about brachial neuritis
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a neurological disorder that can damage your ability to move and breathe. The symptoms usually begin from 3 days to 4 weeks after vaccination starting with numbness and tingling in the feet or the hands. Unlike other nervous system disorders, once symptoms start GBS rapidly progresses, which can leave patients almost entirely paralyzed within a matter of days or weeks. While, in most cases, the symptoms of GBS go away within a few months or years, this can have a profound impact on someone’s life.

GBS is a peripheral neuropathy which means the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. This typically occurs after an infection or period of illness, but it can also be the result of the flu vaccine and other vaccines.

Learn more about GBS
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Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

CIDP is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the arms and legs. The term “demyelinating” refers to the destruction of the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. CIDP is considered a chronic condition because it typically persists for more than two months.

This disease is often caused by a problem with the immune system. Treatment usually involves corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. CIDP is associated with many vaccines, including the flu shot.

Learn more about CIDP
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that is believed to be caused by damage to the nervous system. The most common symptom of CRPS is intense, burning pain in the affected limb. Other symptoms may include swelling, changes in skin color and temperature, and changes in nail and hair growth. CRPS can occur after an injury vaccination or surgery, but the exact cause is unknown.

There are two types of CRPS: Type I and Type II. Type I, also known as RSD, is characterized by pain and swelling. Type II, also known as Causalgia, is characterized by intense burning pain and changes in skin color and temperature. CRPS is a progressive condition that can worsen over time. There is no cure for CRPS, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms.

The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and improve function. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, nerve blocks, and sympathetic nerve blocks. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the pain.

Learn more about complex regional pain syndrome
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the body’s nervous system. MS is extremely degenerative and often occurs over a prolonged time. The immune systems of MS patients attack the body’s myelin, the nerve fibers’ protective layer.

In doing so, the immune system creates inflammation and other complications that can impact your brain’s ability to communicate with your body. People exhibit a range of symptoms, but the most common signs of MS include weakness, movement issues, and fatigue.

Unfortunately, there is no cure available to patients who suffer from MS. Instead, doctors use a variety of treatments to mitigate the symptoms and side effects of the disease. Most of these treatments come in the form of oral drugs or injectable drugs.

Learn more about multiple sclerosis
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Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to muscle weakness. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the communication between nerves and muscles. This can cause drooping eyelids, double vision, and problems with swallowing. Myasthenia gravis can be treated with medication or surgery.

Learn more about myasthenia gravis
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Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disease that has a severe impact on an individual’s ability to attain normal sleep. In many cases, sufferers of narcolepsy will experience extreme tiredness during the daytime, regardless of the amount of sleep they had previously. Additionally, narcolepsy can cause sudden onset of sleep that can severely impact an individual’s ability to lead a healthy life.

While narcolepsy is often characterized by extreme sleepiness, it can also impact your ability to sleep during the night. Many people that suffer from this neurological disorder will wake up at regular intervals throughout the night, regardless of how tired they are.

Sadaka Law has represented individuals suffering from narcolepsy from the influenza vaccination and Gardasil.

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Opsoclonus-myoclonus Syndrome (OMS)

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is a disorder that impacts the body’s nervous system. Individuals that suffer from OMS may experience rapid and unexplained eye movements. The disorder also causes individuals to shake or tremble as they walk. Muscle spasms are extremely common in those with OMS.

Learn more about opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome
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Optic Neuritis (ON)

Optic neuritis is a nerve disorder that can impact your ability to see. Your optic nerve, which connects your brain to your eye, is severely impacted by the disorder. ON patients experience an inflamed optic nerve, which can result in a temporary loss of eyesight.

Fortunately, this is a condition that will typically subsist within a few months. In many cases, you will not need any intensive treatment for ON. Still, some patients will require medication to help speed up the recovery process.

This can be a difficult disorder to diagnose, so your doctor may require an MRI to verify if your optic nerve is the root cause of any symptoms. While ON can disappear on its own, it might be the result of a more serious condition. ON patients sometimes also suffer from other infections or MS.

Learn more about optic neuritis
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Transverse Myelitis

Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disease that impacts the spinal cord. The disorder can cause a range of symptoms, including paralysis, muscle weakness, and sensory issues. transverse myelitis often occurs suddenly and without warning. In many cases, has been linked to other infections, autoimmune diseases, and vaccines like the influenza vaccination.

Unfortunately, transverse myelitis can result in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and side effects. Many patients report feeling strange sensations and pain. You can also suffer from weakness, bowel issues, and bladder problems.

Learn more about transverse myelitis
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Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disorder that impacts the nerves in an individual’s face. The disorder can result in excruciating jolts of pain. Even minor stimuli can result in sporadic and unpredictable pain.

While this might occur with minor frequency when the disorder first arises, it can often become a more chronic issue. While this condition is found in individuals of any age, you are more likely to experience trigeminal neuralgia if you are over 50 years old.

Learn more about trigeminal neuralgia
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Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

If you experience a vaccine injury in the United States, you have access to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. In the 1970s, the Federal Government sought to protect the vaccine industry from too much exposure to lawsuits. This effort was enacted to prevent vaccine shortages from reaching the market.

Victims of vaccine injury can now file petitions to seek compensation for vaccine injuries. While this might sound convenient, it is much more complicated than a traditional personal injury lawsuit.

With traditional personal injury lawsuits, an individual can file a lawsuit in their local courts against the party that is responsible for their injury. Due to the VICP, this is not possible for vaccine injuries. Instead, your case is filed in Washington, DC.

As a consequence, there will be a unique legal process to contend with, and you will need to work with a lawyer who can fight vaccine cases in Washington, DC. Your typical personal injury lawyer in your state will not suffice.

Also, because the drug companies that produced the vaccine are not represented in the courtroom, it is essential to partner with a lawyer who understands the unique complexities of this area of the law.

Learn more about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
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Hiring a Vaccine Injury Lawyer Like Sadaka Law

Sadaka Law has had success in obtaining compensation for individuals suffering from all of the conditions above, including multiple sclerosis.

If you believe you have experienced any of the vaccine injuries mentioned on this page, it is critical to contact an attorney who can represent your interests in the courtroom. For those experiencing undue suffering because of a vaccine, receiving compensation can help mitigate medical costs and alleviate stress.

If you do opt to use an attorney to pursue vaccine injury compensation, it is critical to seek out a firm that has experience in this niche area of the law.

Sadaka Law of the Vaccine Injury Help Center can help you get the justice you deserve. We will protect your interests in the courtroom. Our team is one of the few trial law firms that have experience tackling vaccine-related cases in Washington, DC.

With over 300 vaccine cases under our belts, we are more than equipped to handle your vaccine injury case. If you are unsure if you have experienced a vaccine injury, make sure to get in touch with our team for additional information.

Vaccine Nerve Damage FAQs

We receive many questions about vaccine nerve damage and the process of seeking compensation. To clarify some confusion, we have developed succinct answers to some of the most common questions we receive.

Can vaccines cause nerve damage?

Vaccine nerve damage is nerve damage that results from a vaccine. There are a variety of different nerve-related issues that are linked to vaccines. Some of these are direct injuries caused by improper techniques, while others are the result of the immune system’s response to a vaccine.

If you believe that you’ve experienced vaccine nerve damage, it is essential to get in touch with medical professionals as quickly as possible.

How is vaccine nerve damage treated?

The methods used to treat vaccine nerve damage will vary depending on the condition or disorder that results from the nerve damage. For example, in some cases, rehabilitation will be the primary treatment. On the other hand, patients may require plasma exchanges and other more intensive treatments if the symptoms are serious.

What is neuropathic pain?

Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that is caused by damage to the nervous system. This can include damage to the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Neuropathic pain can be difficult to treat because it often does not respond well to traditional pain medications.

What are the symptoms of neuropathic pain?

Symptoms of neuropathic pain can vary depending on the location of the damaged nerve. Common symptoms include burning, tingling, numbness, and shooting or stabbing pains. Neuropathic pain can also cause changes in temperature sensitivity and skin sensitivity.

Can vaccines cause neuropathic pain?

Yes. Vaccines like the influenza vaccination can cause conditions like chronic regional pain syndrome that cause persistent neuropathic pain.

Can you suffer an injury following the flu vaccine?

Yes. While injuries from the flu vaccine are rare, they are certainly possible. Nerve damage and shoulder injuries can occur for a variety of vaccine-related reasons.

If you believe that you have suffered an injury because of a flu vaccine, do not hesitate to contact our office for additional information. We have experience seeking compensation on behalf of our clients. If you are suffering from acute symptoms, make sure to contact a medical professional straight away.

What is the difference between vaccine injury and vaccine reaction?

There is a big difference between a vaccine injury and a vaccine reaction. A vaccine reaction is a normal, common occurrence that happens soon after vaccination. It’s the body’s natural way of responding to the introduction of a new substance. A vaccine injury is much rarer and happens when the body has an extreme or abnormal reaction to vaccination.

What are the symptoms of a vaccine reaction?

The most common side effects from vaccines are mild and go away on their own. These can include:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
• Fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue or tiredness

These reactions usually happen 6-12 hours after the vaccine and last 1-2 days.

What are the symptoms of a vaccine injury?

The most common symptom of a vaccine injury is pain at the injection site that lasts more than 48 hours. Other symptoms can include:

• Severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat)
• Neurological problems (weakness, paralysis, seizures, or severe headache)
• Vision problems
• Autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis)