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Do You Need a North Carolina Flu Shot Injury Lawyer?

Each year, well over 100 million people across the United States get a flu shot. Even in years when the flu shot’s effectiveness rating is relatively low, the vaccine still protects millions of people against suffering serious illnesses. But, unfortunately, some flu shot recipients suffer complications, and those that do will need help from a North Carolina flu shot injury lawyer.

What Flu Shot Recipients Should Know about the Vaccine

What are the Different Types of Flu Vaccines?

Currently, there are two types of flu shots generally approved for use in the United States. There is also a nasal spray flu vaccine which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved for use in “healthy non-pregnant people, 2 through 49 years old.”

A flu shot can be either trivalent or quadrivalent. The nasal spray is a quadrivalent vaccine. Trivalent flu shots protect against three flu viruses (an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus), while quadrivalent flu shots protect against four flu viruses (those covered by the trivalent vaccine plus a second influenza B virus). When there is an adequate supply of quadrivalent vaccines available during a flu season, the CDC may not approve a trivalent vaccine.

Brand-name manufacturers produce all flu shots administered in the U.S. Individuals in North Carolina may receive:

• Afluria (manufactured by Seqirus)
• Fluad (manufactured by Seqirus)
• Fluarix (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline)
• Flublok (manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur)
• Flucelvax (manufactured by Seqirus)
• FluLaval (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline)
• Fluzone or Fluzone High-Dose (manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur)

Is There Anyone Who Should Not Get a Flu Shot?

The CDC recommends flu vaccinations for everyone six months of age and older, with some exceptions. For example, the CDC states that “[p]eople with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins) should not get that vaccine.” Anyone who has questions about whether they should get vaccinated against influenza should consult with their physician.

Does the Flu Vaccine Work Right Away?

It generally takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body following a flu shot. As a result, the CDC recommends that most people get their flu shots early—ideally before flu season begins.

What are Common Side Effects of Flu Shots?

It is not unusual for flu shot recipients to experience mild side effects. As listed by the CDC, typical side effects of flu shots include:

• Soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Muscle aches

When Should I Be Concerned about a Possible Flu Shot Injury?

The side effects of a flu shot should generally last no more than a few days, and they should go away without medical treatment. Lingering side effects or side effects that get worse could be a sign of a potentially-serious vaccine injury. Other signs of possible flu shot injuries include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Excessive swelling
• High fever
• Increased heart rate
• Limited range of motion
• Muscle weakness
• Pain that extends beyond the injection site

Some of the most common flu shot injuries are known as shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). These injuries are caused by errors during the injection, such as inserting the needle at the wrong angle or in the wrong part of the arm. There are several different forms of SIRVA, each with their own unique set of symptoms, but radiating pain, muscle weakness and limited range of motion are common to most forms.

Can Getting a Flu Shot Cause Me to Get Sick?

Getting a flu shot can cause you to get sick—but not from the flu. As the CDC explains, flu shots “either contain inactivated virus, meaning the viruses are no longer infectious, or a particle designed to look like a flu virus to your immune system.”

In a very small percentage of cases, individuals who received a flu shot were subsequently diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). This is an autoimmune disorder that can have painful, debilitating and potentially long-term effects. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for GBS. While some individuals will recover with treatment, others may experience relapses, and others may still develop a chronic variant of the disease known as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

What Should I Do if I Have Concerns about a Flu Shot Injury?

If you have concerns about a flu shot injury, you should see your doctor promptly. Many injuries – including most forms of SIRVA – can worsen without treatment, and some conditions may need to be treated as medical emergencies. Seeking prompt treatment will generally improve your chances of making a speedy recovery.

Tell your doctor about your recent flu shot and explain your symptoms in as much detail as possible.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Diagnosed with a Flu Shot Injury?

If you have been diagnosed with a flu shot injury, you should follow your doctor’s treatment advice (or seek a second opinion if necessary). You should also talk to a North Carolina flu shot injury lawyer about your legal rights.

A North Carolina flu shot injury lawyer may be able to help you file a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). This federal government program has paid more than $4 billion to vaccine recipients and their families since 1988. The NVICP pays compensation for most vaccine injuries on a “no-fault” basis—which means that you do not have to prove negligence on the part of your vaccine provider or your flu shot’s manufacturer. You can hire a lawyer to handle your NVICP claim at no cost to you.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a North Carolina Flu Shot Injury Lawyer

Do you have questions about filing an NVICP claim for a flu shot injury? For a free, no-obligation consultation with a North Carolina flu shot injury lawyer, call 800-662-1234 or request an appointment online now.

Hear it from our clients

“We hired Martin & Jones in March 2015 and Steven Corriveau became our personal lawyer. Steven is a true professional who is understanding and easy to communicate with. He clearly explained the legal process to us. We are confident in the specific information, advice and feedback he gives us and know that he always has our best interest in the case. He responds quickly to our questions and concerns being available 24 hours a day. As our legal journey continues we look at the number of contacts we have with Steven. There have been 52 plus phone calls and conversations, 50 plus emails, 3 plus personal meetings, and 18 plus legal documents. We are honored to have such a caring lawyer as Steven in a stressful situation, in which he makes the process less difficult. We highly recommend Steven Corriveau who is great, intelligent, persistent and will deliver to the client. Our expectations are very high and Steven is the best.” 

- Ronnie & Patricia

“We would like to express our gratitude to you (Hunt Willis) for accepting our case. First of all, when I called this law firm, a very sweet and kind lady answered the telephone and gave me assurance by asking and going over the accident with me, while my husband was in the hospital. I felt assured I was doing the right thing for us. She was so helpful in so many ways. What a professional lady. Secondly, we are much pleased that you have settled this case with the insurance company to receive the proper amount to assist us in so many ways. My husband and I are very happy with you and the firm in handling our case. You made us have confidence in your professional and integrity along with your assistant Ms. Routh, when you both came to see us in our home, in which we saw your compassion and thoughtfulness at that time. We will never forget what you have done for us, and we thank the lord for directing me to contact this firm. I’m glad I did.” 

- Linda

“I would like to leave a testimonial thanking Steven and Allison for their care and understanding. Steven’s pursuit and success in getting some compensation for our loss. A final closure of our loss of brother Mike. Thanks to Martin & Jones for looking after Mike’s care since his injury in 2005. You have been there for Mike and his family for a long time. Mike passed in 2016 and you stood for the family up to the present (July 2017). Many thanks.”

- Dan

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- Tracy

“Thank you for the work you have done for Carl and our family. We so much appreciate your sincere professionalism and kindness you showed us. I know Carl is smiling right now and the Lord has blessed us through you. May God bless you.”

- Connie, whose husband Carl worked as a brakeman for CSX Transportation and died of mesothelioma

“Thank you for your concern of my well-being every time I spoke with you. It always meant so much. I hear nothing but awful stories of dealing with attorneys and their offices, but I have had nothing but positive experience. You have many special ways of working with people in need of help. Words can never express the way your support has been so helpful. I pray you will continue to help others. I wish you all the best.”

- Mary

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