1. Record Collection
   Petitioners collect medical records, vaccination details, and documentation of symptoms. These records confirm the timeline and guide the development of the petitioner's claim.

2. Legal Filing
   A lawyer files the petition on behalf of the petitioner through the Court of Federal Claims electronic system. The petition includes descriptions of the injury, the vaccination date, and the compensation sought.

3. Department of Justice Review
   The Department of Justice reviews the petition, examines the medical records, and issues a report outlining its position. This step shapes how the claim will move forward.

4. Special Master Scheduling
   A special master sets initial deadlines for any additional evidence, statements from treating physicians, or clarifications needed for the vaccine injury claim.

A petitioner receives a tetanus vaccination, develops shoulder weakness within two days, and seeks treatment within the week. The medical records show limited range of motion, pain with overhead lifting, and persistent inflammation. This information appears alongside therapy notes, imaging results, and functional assessments. When filed properly, these documents help demonstrate the progression of the claimed injury and guide compensation decisions.

• complete vaccination record

• medical records from initial symptoms

• specialist evaluations

• proof of lost earnings

• receipts showing treatment costs

These materials influence whether petitioners progress to a hearing or enter settlement discussions.

A special master reviews each petition, its records, the scientific literature, and the claimant’s account. For example, as mentioned earlier, about 60% of compensation awarded comes via settlement rather than definitive causation findings. Special masters draw on research published by the National Academies Press when assessing whether a vaccine caused or significantly aggravated the injury.

Decision Standards

National Academies Press publications guide how causation theories are interpreted. Special masters reference these works to evaluate mechanisms such as injection trauma or immune responses. A special master’s decision may grant compensation, request further evidence, or conclude that the claim should be dismissed. Each decision follows a consistent standard to maintain fairness in national vaccine injury compensation.

What Compensation Can Cover

Compensation reflects the measurable impact of the vaccine injury on health, income and daily living. The program’s total outlays in recent years reflect awards, attorneys’ fees, and costs paid from the trust fund. 

The vaccine court uses national vaccine injury compensation standards that focus on medical evidence rather than traditional liability. Civil court centers on responsibility and disputes between parties, while the vaccine court reviews illness and injury following vaccination with a different lens. Personal injury claims require proving fault, but the vaccine program emphasizes medical correlation and recognized mechanisms.

The timeline for a vaccine injury claim depends on the complexity of the evidence, how soon treatment began and whether the injury follows a recognised pattern. For many straightforward cases, petitioners receive a scheduling order within 60 to 90 days after filing. For more complex neurological claims, resolution can take 18 months to 3 years or more. 

• document collection

• petition filed

• Department of Justice review

• special master scheduling

• evidence development

• settlement talks or hearing

• decision and compensation

Each phase relies on well-organized records and clear explanations of the claimed injury.