If you or a loved one has experienced a serious reaction after receiving a vaccine, you may be entitled to compensation through a federal program designed specifically for these cases. Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you determine your legal rights and guide you through the claims process from start to finish.
We’ve been standing up for injured individuals and families in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for over a decade. With over 120 years of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars recovered overall, our Harrisburg vaccine injury lawyers are confident we can help you pursue the results you need and deserve.
Contact our offices today at 717-231-1640 for a free consultation. You can receive some initial legal advice about your case at that time with no strings attached.
How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help With Your Vaccine Injury Claim in Harrisburg, PA
Vaccine injury claims are handled through a federal program that operates very differently from a traditional lawsuit and has unique filing requirements as well as strict deadlines. Trying to navigate it without an experienced medical malpractice lawyer on your side can be frustrating and risky.
Our legal team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can get to work once you hire us and:
- Evaluate your medical records to determine whether you have a viable claim
- Prepare and file your petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Work with medical experts to establish the connection between your vaccine and your injury
- Handle all communications with the federal agencies involved in your case
- Pursue every category of compensation available to you under the program
- Represent you through hearings before the special master assigned to your case
Contact us today to schedule your free case review and find out whether you qualify to file a claim. We’ll do everything we can to help you make the most of your opportunity to take legal action.
How Does the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Work?
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was created by Congress in 1986 as a no-fault alternative to the traditional court system. It is designed to compensate individuals who suffer injuries from certain covered vaccines without requiring them to prove that a manufacturer or healthcare provider was negligent.
The process begins when a petition is filed with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. From there, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reviews the medical records and issues a preliminary recommendation. The U.S. Department of Justice then prepares a report, and a judicial officer known as a special master subsequently reviews the case and makes a decision on compensation.
What Vaccines Are Covered by the VICP?
The VICP covers most vaccines that are routinely recommended by the CDC for children and pregnant women.
Some of the most common covered vaccines include:
- Influenza (flu)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP/Tdap)
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Polio
- Meningococcal
- Varicella (chickenpox)
COVID-19 vaccines are not currently covered by the VICP. Claims related to the COVID-19 vaccine fall under a separate federal program called the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which has different rules and procedures.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover Through the VICP?
If your claim is successful, the VICP can provide compensation for several categories of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the vaccine injury
- Lost wages if the injury prevented you from working
- Pain and suffering, up to a statutory cap of $250,000
- Death benefits for families of individuals whose vaccine injury was fatal
- Costs of future care if the injury requires ongoing treatment
Unlike traditional personal injury cases, the VICP covers attorney’s fees separately, so your compensation is not reduced by legal costs.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Vaccine Injury Claim?
The VICP enforces strict filing deadlines that generally cannot be extended. For injury claims, you must file your petition within three years of the first symptom of the vaccine-related condition. For death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death, and the claim must also fall within four years of the onset of the injury that led to the death.
If your claim falls within the CICP instead, that time limit is typically just one year from the date the vaccine was used.
With all of this nuance in mind, it’s best to contact our vaccine injury lawyers as soon as you can so that we can ensure you file your claim on time.
Contact Our Harrisburg Vaccine Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you believe you or a family member suffered a serious reaction from a covered vaccine in Harrisburg, PA, Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to help. Our Harrisburg vaccine injury attorneys can handle your claim in its entirety while you focus on your health and well-being.
With over 120 years of combined legal experience and tens of millions recovered for our clients, our firm has a track record of success that you’ll be able to rely on. Contact us today for a free consultation. Remember, attorney’s fees in VICP cases are paid for by the program, so there is no cost to you.