Vaccine FAQs
What is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)?
Most children and adults who receive a vaccination do not experience any serious side effects, but on rare occasion some people have a severe adverse reaction, such as a severe allergic reaction.
To compensate those injured by vaccines, Congress enacted the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-660), which created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) that began on October 1, 1988. In the rare case where an individual is harmed by certain vaccinations, the VICP allows victims to seek compensation for expenses related to their injuries.
If you have an experienced vaccine attorney, that attorney can file the petition and help you seek compensation. You do not have to pay the attorney’s fees out of your award.
The cases are filed in Washington, D.C. Bertram Law Group PLLC is less than 2 miles from the Courthouse where these claims are filed and determined. No matter where you live in the USA, you can retain an experienced vaccine attorney to help you pursue this type of claim. The Special Masters and Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims decide who will be paid.
What Vaccines are Covered by VICP?
The following vaccines are covered by the VICP:
- Diptheria and tetanus vaccines (e.g., DTaP, DTP, DT, Td, or TT);
- Pertussis vaccines (e.g., DTP, DTaP, P, Tdap, DTP-Hib),
- Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines (e.g., MMR, MR, M, R),
- Polio vaccines (e.g., OPV or IPV),
- Hepatitis A vaccines (e.g., HAV),
- Hepatitis B vaccines (e.g.,HBV),
- Haemophilus influenza type b polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (e.g., Hib),
- Varicella vaccines (e.g., VZV) [herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine is not covered],
- Rotavirus vaccines (e.g.,RV),
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (e.g., PCV),
- Seasonal influenza vaccines (e.g., IIV3 standard dose, IIV3 high dose, IIV4, RIV3, LAIV3, LAIV4),
- Human papillomavirus vaccines (e.g., HPV),
- Meningococcal vaccines (e.g., MCV4, MPSV4, recombinant)
If you believe you or a loved one has suffered an adverse reaction to a vaccine, please contact our national vaccine attorneys immediately.
How Does the VICP Work?
- There are no age restrictions under the Vaccine Compensation Program on who may file a claim.
- A vaccine injury lawyer can start a claim on the behalf of a victim injured by a vaccine covered by VICP. We filed the claims right here in Washington, D.C.
- You do not need an attorney to file a claim, but most people use a lawyer, as it is a legal process and the medical proof can be very complex.
- The Vaccine Injury Program – not you/the injured party – pays all of the attorneys’ fees and costs related to your claim.
- The action is a federal no-fault compensation program, not a lawsuit.
- There are deadlines to file claims with VICP! Please contact our national vaccine attorney immediately.
What Next?
Contact Bertram Law Group PLLC if you or a loved one have suffered from an adverse reaction to a vaccine. We will thoroughly investigate each potential client’s situation. If we are able to take your case, we will handle the entire legal process so that you and your families can focus on recovery.
