In 2020, we saw the first significant drop in vaccine injury claims since 2011. This was almost certainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused many people to put off medical care that they deemed non-essential—including getting vaccinated in many cases.
However, more than 1,000 people – 1,191 people, to be exact – filed claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) in 2020; and, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (also known as the Vaccine Court) still adjudicated 904 claims. Here, vaccine injury lawyer Leah Durant looks at some of the most notable figures from the year.
1. Of the 904 Vaccine Injury Claims Adjudicated in 2020, 706 Resulted in Awards of Compensation
In 2020, nearly 80 percent of all adjudications under the VICP resulted in awards of financial compensation. In fact, in 2020, more people received compensation awards than any prior year in the VICP’s history.
Notably, until 2014, less than half of all VICP claims adjudicated resulted in compensation awards. Since then, however, both the percentage and the total number of successful VICP claims has been increasing steadily.
2. Total Compensation Under the VICP Surpassed $4 Billion
The total compensation awarded to VICP claimants surpassed $4 billion in 2020. In total, successful claimants received more than $187 million during the year. Despite 2020 having the most compensated VICP claims in the program’s history, this total dollar amount was actually the lowest since 2012.
An important aspect of the VICP is that it pays claimants’ legal fees separately from their awards of financial compensation. As a result, all of the $187 million-plus awarded in 2020 went directly into claimants’ pockets.
3. Flu Shot Injury Claims Remain the Most Common—By Far
Since its formation in 1988, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has provided compensation to 7,754 claimants (as of January 2021). Of these compensated claims, 3,893 (just over half) have involved flu shot illnesses and injuries.
Following the flu shot, the vaccines with the most successful claims filed under the VICP are:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) – 1,273 compensated claims
- Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) – 484 compensated claims
- Measles, mumps and rubella – 412 compensated claims
- Hepatitis B – 283 compensated claims
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) – 241 compensated claims
4. 2021 is Off to a Quick Start
The VICP’s fiscal year ends in September, so 2021 data are already starting to become available. These data show that the new year is off to a quick start. Since October 2020, 526 claims have been filed, and the Vaccine Court has already issued 119 compensation awards—with a total compensation amount of more than $68 million.
Do You Have a Claim? Contact Vaccine Injury Lawyer Leah Durant
If you have questions about filing a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To discuss your legal rights with national vaccine injury lawyer Leah Durant in confidence, please call 202-800-1711 or get in touch 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 her staff 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.
Categories: National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Leah Durant 
Leave a Reply