MMR Vaccine Injuries

The MMR vaccine is designed to protect children from measles, mumps, and rubella. While the vaccine is safe for the vast majority of children, a very small number may experience severe reactions.

In these cases, families may be eligible to recover compensation for the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other expenses associated with the reaction through the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).

The vaccine injury claim process is not simple, however. These claims are medically and procedurally complex and often require guidance from attorneys with extensive experience. At mctlaw, our vaccine injury lawyers have been handling MRR and other vaccine injury claims for more than two decades, helping clients nationwide secure significant recoveries.

What is the MMR Vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is a combined immunization that protects against three serious viral diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. These illnesses can lead to high fever, rash, swelling, lifelong complications, and in some cases, death. Before widespread vaccination, these diseases were common and caused significant illness in children and adults.

The MMR vaccine contains live but weakened forms of the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. After vaccination, the immune system learns to recognize and fight these viruses. That training helps the body prevent infection or reduce the severity of disease if a person is exposed in the future.

Immunity begins to develop about two weeks after vaccination and, for most people, protection lasts a lifetime against measles and rubella. Immunity to mumps may be slightly less durable, which is why two doses are important.

We represented a one-year-old baby girl, who had a severe reaction to an MMR shot. The baby’s mother noticed she was feverish and uncomfortable that night. They gave her Tylenol at her doctor’s advice, but it didn’t bring down the fever. Her parents rushed her to the ER, and she went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. Doctors placed her on a ventilator. Though they saved the baby’s life, she was left with irreparable injuries. Her mctlaw vaccine injury lawyers negotiated a $101 million lifetime settlement from the VICP.

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Does the VICP Cover MMR Vaccine Injuries?

Yes. The MMR vaccine is a covered vaccine under the VICP, meaning that people who suffer a serious reaction after receiving it may be eligible to seek compensation. However, vaccine injury claims are not automatic; each claim is evaluated on its own merits, and eligibility depends on medical evidence and adherence to program rules.

To qualify for compensation, your case must meet a few fundamental requirements. First, the vaccine injury must have significant effects that either lasted more than six months, required inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention, or resulted in death. These thresholds help ensure the program focuses on serious, lasting injuries rather than mild or transient symptoms.

In addition, your claim then has to be filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims within strict time limits. That deadline is generally within three years of the first symptom or significant worsening of your condition. If the vaccine injury led to death, the claim must be filed within two years of the date of death and no more than four years after the first symptom of the injury that resulted in the death.

Finally, you must submit supporting evidence, usually including medical records, vaccination history, and expert opinions, to show that the MMR vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated the injury.

How Can Our MMR Vaccine Injury Attorneys Help You?

With over 25 years of experience handling vaccine injury cases, mctlaw has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for families nationwide. Our track record of results includes numerous high-profile victories, including a $101 million lifetime settlement for a one-year-old who suffered severe complications after an MMR vaccine.

When you work with us, we start by determining if you qualify for a claim, which may involve reviewing vaccination records, the first treatment following the reaction, and ongoing medical documentation. From there, we prepare and submit the petition, coordinate with healthcare providers, and represent you before the Vaccine Court to build the strongest possible case.

You pay us no legal fees, as the VICP itself is responsible for covering attorney fees. That means that 100% of any compensation we recover goes directly to you.

Not all attorneys are authorized to practice before the Federal Vaccine Court, so working with a firm like mctlaw, with decades of experience and a proven track record, is critical for anyone pursuing a vaccine injury claim.

Find Out if You are Eligible to File a Claim for Your MMR Vaccine Injury

MMR vaccines play a vital role in protecting children from measles, mumps, and rubella, and are safe for the vast majority of patients. In rare instances, however, serious reactions can occur, leaving families to face unexpected medical and financial challenges.

While the VICP provides a path for recovering compensation, successfully navigating the claim process requires careful documentation and a thorough understanding of the program’s rules. At mctlaw, our vaccine injury attorneys are prepared to advocate for your family and guide you through every step. Contact us for a free case review.

References

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378298
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352153
• https://www.encephalitis.info/what-is-encephalitis
• https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/vaccine-compensation/data/data-statistics-report.pdf
• https://www.mctlaw.com/vaccine-cases/vaccine-case-results/16-119V-MeaslesMumpsRubella(MMR)-Encephalopathy.pdf
• https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Encephalopathy-Information-Page
• https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html