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Experiencing a serious health issue after a vaccine can be alarming and life-altering. If a vaccine covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) caused a severe reaction for you or a loved one, you may be able to seek compensation. The VICP was created by Congress in 1986 to provide a no‑fault alternative to traditional civil lawsuits, allowing individuals injured by certain vaccines to pursue compensation without suing manufacturers directly.
At mctlaw, our Illinois vaccine lawyers know how confusing and stressful this process can be. We represent clients in Illinois and nationwide in claims before the United States Court of Federal Claims, often called “Vaccine Court.” We take care of every step for you, from filing petitions to gathering medical evidence and consulting experts. We make sure your case meets the program’s strict requirements and give you confidence that it’s handled correctly.
Who Is Eligible to File a Vaccine Injury Claim in Illinois?
Not every vaccine reaction qualifies for compensation. To be eligible under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), you must have received a covered vaccine and suffered a serious medical injury. A serious injury is one that lasts for more than six months or requires inpatient hospitalization and surgical treatment.
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to file a claim, but the vaccine must generally have been administered in the United States or its territories (with certain exceptions, such as U.S. service members and government employees serving abroad).
If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible to file a vaccine injury claim and recover compensation. However, filing a successful claim is no simple task. You will need to demonstrate that the vaccine caused a serious reaction and provide detailed medical documentation. Even small errors in filing, missing records, or incomplete documentation can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation. A vaccine injury lawyer helps develop and defend your claim in a complex legal process, where government attorneys may closely scrutinize and challenge your evidence, even when your case appears well-supported.
Why Choose Our Illinois Vaccine Injury Lawyers?
At mctlaw, we bring deep experience and a strong track record to every vaccine injury case we handle:
Nationally Recognized Experience
For more than 25 years, our attorneys have focused on vaccine injury law and handled claims for clients in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered
We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for individuals and families affected by serious vaccine injuries, including the largest single award in VICP history.
No Legal Fees for Clients
The VICP pays all attorney fees and case costs, so clients never pay out of pocket for legal representation. You keep 100% of your compensation.
Comprehensive Case Handling
We manage every step of the process from filing your petition to collecting medical records, consulting experts, and representing you before a federal judge.
Deep Knowledge of Vaccine Law
Vaccine claims involve strict procedures and unique rules that differ from typical personal injury cases. Our lawyers are experienced members of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar and understand how to build strong cases.
We work with medical providers in Illinois and across the country to gather records and build strong claims.
Common Vaccine-Related Injuries We Handle
While serious reactions to vaccines are rare, they can be severe and long‑lasting. Our team handles a wide range of injuries recognized by the VICP, including but not limited to:
- Guillain‑Barré Syndrome (GBS): A neurological disorder that can cause weakness and paralysis.
- SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration): Pain and limited motion from improper injection.
- Transverse Myelitis: Inflammation of the spinal cord.
- Thrombocytopenia: A condition involving low platelet levels, which can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Other Severe Reactions: Including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and other rare disorders.
Our attorneys can explain how specific injuries are evaluated under VICP standards and help document how a vaccine may have contributed to medical issues.
What is the Vaccine Injury Claim Process in Illinois?
The process for filing a vaccine injury claim under the VICP includes several important steps:
Eligibility and Petition
A petition must be filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. You must show that a covered vaccine likely caused the injury.
HHS Review
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reviews your petition and may either concede that the vaccine caused the injury or contest the claim. The Department of Justice (DOJ) represents HHS in this review.
Special Master Decision
If HHS disputes causation or damages, a hearing may be held before a Special Master, an official who acts as the judge in Vaccine Court.
Resolution and Damages
If your claim is successful, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Every case is different, and timelines vary. Our lawyers guide you through each stage so you understand what to expect.
What Vaccines Are Covered By the VICP?
The VICP covers many routinely administered vaccines, including:
- Influenza (seasonal flu) vaccines
- Tetanus‑containing vaccines (DTaP, Tdap)
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Rotavirus
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (pneumonia)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines
- Many others listed in the federal vaccine injury table
What Vaccines Are NOT Covered By the VICP?
Certain vaccines are NOT covered by the VICP, meaning those injuries must be pursued through different programs or legal routes:
- COVID‑19 vaccine (handled under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program)
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide, or PPS, PPV, PPSV23, and Pneumovax vaccines meant for older adults
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccines
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster) vaccines
- Rabies, Anthrax, Smallpox, Yellow Fever, Tuberculosis, and Typhoid vaccines
If you are unsure whether your vaccine is covered, our team can review your case and explain your options.
Illinois Vaccine Injury Lawyer: FAQs
Can I file a claim if I live in Illinois but was vaccinated elsewhere?
Yes. You can file a VICP claim regardless of where you live. Most claims qualify as long as the vaccine was covered and administered in the United States or its territories. In limited situations, vaccines given overseas may also qualify under specific conditions.
How long do I have to file my vaccine injury claim?
For most claims, the petition must be filed within three years after the first symptom or significant worsening of the vaccine‑related injury. If the injury results in death, the petition generally must be filed within two years of the date of death and no more than four years after the first symptom that led to the death. These deadlines are strict, and filing late can prevent you from recovering compensation.
How long will my vaccine injury case take?
Most vaccine injury cases take several years from filing to resolution. This is largely due to the Vaccine Court’s backlog and limited number of Special Masters (the judges who decide cases). While we work to move our cases forward as quickly as possible, that timeline is outside of our control.
Why should I hire a vaccine injury attorney versus a personal injury attorney?
Vaccine injury claims are handled in a federal compensation program, not in regular civil court. They involve medical record analysis, federal filing requirements, and proceedings before Special Masters instead of juries. Lawyers who focus on vaccine injury law understand how to build cases under these rules, while many traditional personal injury attorneys are not admitted to practice in Vaccine Court and may have limited experience with the program.
Take the Next Step With Our Experienced Vaccine Injury Attorneys in Illinois
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious reaction after a vaccine covered by the VICP, don’t wait. There are deadlines for filing claims, and early evaluation can make a difference in how your case is developed.
Schedule a free consultation with our experienced team today to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.
Jessica A. Olins’ practice at mctlaw, focuses on representing clients in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Ms. Olins graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Redlands University and graduated from American University Washington College of Law. While at Redlands University, Ms. Olins excelled in leading and training her colleagues through new developments in spatial mapping, involving geographic information system software and geodatabase management applications. Her law practice also involves engaging in subpoena enforcement in federal district courts nationwide. Ms. Olins is a member of the Vaccine Injury Practitioners Bar Committee, assisting in the preparation and organization of the VIP Bar Conferences. Ms. Olins is a member of the American Association for Justice and its New Lawyers Division. Additionally, Ms. Olins is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the United States Court of Federal Claims.
