Leah Durant

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Understanding the Long-Term Costs of SIRVA

For many people, shoulder pain following a vaccination is an early symptom of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration, or “SIRVA.” Awareness of SIRVA has been growing in recent years; and, in 2017, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) added SIRVA to the Vaccine Injury Table under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

SIRVA can take many forms; and, while each individual patient’s prognosis is heavily dependent upon his or her personal health and medical history, for many people the long-term costs of SIRVA can be substantial. These costs fall into three main categories:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering

Financial and Non-Financial Costs of SIRVA

1. Medical Expenses

The costs for treatment, recovery and rehabilitation of SIRVA depend upon the specific type of injury suffered and the extent of the damage the body endures. Some patients may recover in a matter of weeks with rest and oral anti-inflammatory medications. Others will require long-term physical therapy and occupational rehabilitation; and, in severe cases, certain forms of SIRVA may require surgery.

2. Loss of Income

Whether due to doctor’s appointments or debilitating pain and physical limitations, individuals diagnosed with SIRVA will often miss days, weeks or even months of work. Missing work means taking paid or unpaid time off; and, in either case, this is another direct financial cost associated with SIRVA.

3. Pain and Suffering

Vaccine-related shoulder injuries can have a variety of non-financial impacts as well. These include physical pain, anxiety, depression, worry, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life. While these are not as easy to quantify as medical expenses or lost salary or benefits, they are still very real costs associated with flu shot and other vaccine mistakes.

Recovering the Costs of SIRVA Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)

If you have been diagnosed with SIRVA, it will be important for you to speak with a vaccine injury lawyer about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Each of the costs listed above may be eligible for compensation under the VICP, and filing a successful claim can be an important step on the road to long-term recovery. To date, the VICP has paid in excess of $3.6 billion to individuals diagnosed with SIRVA and other vaccine injuries; and while some cases can take a year or longer to resolve, in many cases it is possible to secure a settlement in less time.

In order to secure compensation for SIRVA under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, it is important to work with an experienced vaccine attorney. At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, we offer free initial consultations, and in most cases our fees and costs are covered entirely by the VICP.

Have You Been Diagnosed with SIRVA?

If you have been diagnosed with SIRVA, our firm can help you seek compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. To learn more in a free and confidential consultation, please call (202) 775-9200 or request an appointment online today.

Leah Durant Bio

Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and the other attorneys in her firm represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.