For years, Zostavax was marketed as an effective vaccine that significantly reduced the risk of shingles. However, numerous users have reported accounts of serious health issues stemming from the injection.
If you have suffered any health complications following the use of Zostavax, you could be entitled to compensation. Pursuing a claim for monetary damages becomes possible with the assistance of a seasoned tort attorney. A Zostavax lawsuit lawyer could inform you of your legal options and work diligently on your case.
What is Zostavax?
Zostavax was created to reduce the likelihood of contracting shingles, an infection that stems from a dormant virus called varicella-zoster that reactivates within the body. A person might contract the virus after they become infected with chicken pox. Shingles are most common among individuals aged 50 and above, which means that this age group generally takes the most doses of Zostavax.
Side Effects of Zostavax
There are two important and dangerous side effects associated with taking Zostavax. The first is a direct link between the vaccine and shingles. While the treatment aims to prevent this disease, there is substantial evidence that it could actually cause cases in some patients.
Apart from shingles, other possible and documented side effects connected to using Zostavax include:
- Hearing loss
- Vasculitis
- Herpetic Neuralgia
- Bell’s Palsy
- Stroke
- Heart Problems
- Wrongful Death
Any of these unfortunate developments could require long-term, expensive medical care. A knowledgeable attorney could help someone who used Zostavax concretely link their side effects to the dangerous vaccine.
How to File a Lawsuit Against the Zostavax Vaccine
There are numerous lawsuits directed at Merck & Co.—the makers of Zostavax—regarding the dangerous side effects their vaccine causes. Plaintiffs usually file these claims in a federal court, where they become combined into one large proceeding known as multidistrict litigation, or MDL. This legal process allows numerous cases with similar facts and defendants to proceed together without combining into a single lawsuit.
The argument against Merck & Co. is that the drug manufacturer became aware of the potential side effects that come with the use of Zostavax as early as 2006. Their failure to resolve these dangers or warn the public serves as the basis of a powerful civil action.
The entitlement to pursue a Zostavax lawsuit depends on the consequences a person suffered and when side effects presented themselves. If a person contracted shingles from taking the vaccine after 2006, they could pursue compensation if they experienced the disease between three weeks to one year of receiving the Zostavax injection.
Meanwhile, anyone who experienced other side effects from the treatment could have legal options if these conditions occurred within two years of receiving Zostavax. A well-practiced lawyer could examine a plaintiff’s situation to determine their options for combatting the manipulative Zostavax treatment.
Contact a Zostavax Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you are living with the substantial side effects of the Zostavax vaccine, you might be entitled to financial compensation. These monetary damages could ease your emotional suffering and pay for your medical expenses.
Before you pursue a claim on your own, consider speaking with a Zostavax lawsuit lawyer. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.