While Vaccines serve as a crucial function to rooting out diseases in our society, they also carry a small risk of causing autoimmune diseases. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) helps compensate these victims.
The VICP awarded $1.5 million in December 2014 to a Lebanon Pennsylvania woman who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome from a flu shot.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but possible side effect of any vaccine, including the flu vaccine. This rare condition causes the body’s immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system. GBS can start out as muscle weakness or a tingling sensation and lead to paralysis.
Two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine, Wendy Lister went to Good Samaritan Hospital with complaints of burning, tingling and numbness in her upper and lower extremities. She was admitted and diagnosed with GBS and ataxia, a nervous system disorder affecting movement and balance control.
Lister was hospitalized for six weeks and underwent physical and occupational therapy, but she has not fully recovered.
Lister’s Guillain-Barré flu shot injuries left her with constant pain and numbness in her hands and feet. She is unable to walk more than a short distance or drive. Because of her recurring injuries, she has not been able to return to work.
Lister’s settlement will provide compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering and will cover future medical expenses related to her vaccine injuries.
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One Comment
karen vaughn
I got GBS Oct 1986 after a flu vaccine and was paralyzed, nearly died. I have recovered over time. I got a lawyer but he told me 2 weeks before the 2 year statute of limitations was up that he could not help me. Since then there was nothing that could be done legally.
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