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What is the VICP?
My Vaccine Lawyer fights for injured people through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to secure real federal payouts.
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal process that pays people who have been seriously injured by vaccines. It was created by Congress under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act and handled through the Department of Health and Human Services in the Court of Federal Claims. Cases are decided by a judge called a Special Master, whose only focus is vaccine injury. You don’t have to face a manufacturer or a hospital in court. Instead, you present medical evidence that links your injury to a covered vaccine, and the court decides if you qualify for payment.
So far, more than $5 billion has been paid to people with proven claims. Those awards have helped families recover medical costs, replace lost earnings, and move on from the stress that follows a serious reaction. For anyone asking what the VICP is, the answer is simple: it’s a straightforward way to be compensated when a vaccine causes real harm and it’s the system My Vaccine Lawyer uses every day to make that happen.
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Hear Cheryl's Vaccine Injury Story
Cheryl, a former client of My Vaccine Lawyer, shares her experience with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following a flu shot. She describes the sudden onset of pain, limited shoulder mobility, and a long recovery process that led her to seek legal help from attorney Max Muller.
With his support, Cheryl filed a successful claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and received a settlement covering her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. SIRVA symptoms typically include sudden pain within 48 hours of vaccination, restricted range of motion, and discomfort that can last for weeks or months.
How the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Process Works
Filing a vaccine injury claim is a legal process, not a battle. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program gives every case a defined path through the federal court system so injured people can recover without the chaos of private litigation.
Your attorney starts by filing a petitioner's claim in the Court of Federal Claims. A judge called a Special Master reviews the petition, your medical records, and any expert evidence linking a covered vaccine to the injury. Hearings are professional and orderly; vaccine manufacturers are not sitting across the aisle, and the decision is based entirely on medical and legal proof. Once filed, each claim follows three key stages:
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Case development. Your specialized vaccine injury lawyer builds evidence: records, treatment summaries, and calculations of lost earnings and medical costs.
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Federal review. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration evaluate the documentation and submit reports to the court.
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Resolution. The Special Master may issue a decision or direct the parties to negotiate.
At My Vaccine Lawyer, we push every case toward the best possible outcome. Many of our clients have reached substantial settlements through this process, including a shoulder injury case worth $180,194 and multiple six- and seven-figure awards for serious adverse reactions. When negotiation isn’t enough, we litigate. Every dollar awarded comes from a federal trust managed by HHS, not from the manufacturer. Attorney fees are paid separately, which means our clients keep the full value of their compensation. This process rewards strong advocacy and preparation. Our team treats each petition like a trial: fact-driven, detailed, and built to win.
We are the Highest Rated Vaccine Injury Law Firm in the Country!
SEE OUR NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS
See some of our vaccine injury settlements in the VICP.
See Vaccine Settlements Here
MEET MAX
Max is a founding Partner of My Vaccine Lawyer and has been a Super Lawyer for 11 years straight.
Meet Max
MEET PAUL
Paul is a founding Partner at My Vaccine Lawyer and has been featured in the Washington Post and CBS News for his accomplishments.
Meet Paul
Who Qualifies for Vaccine Injury Compensation?
Eligibility in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is based on three factors: which vaccine was received, the seriousness of the reaction, and when the claim was filed. The Court of Federal Claims examines your medical records and expert reports to confirm that the vaccine caused the injury and that it meets the program’s legal standards.
Common covered vaccines include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), hepatitis A and B, HPV, and flu shots. New vaccines are added as they become part of the federal vaccination schedule. A claim may qualify for compensation if it involves:
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Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
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Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
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Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS)
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Chronic pain or neurological symptoms following vaccination
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Any condition that required surgery, hospitalization, long-term treatment, or resulted in death
The Department of Health and Human Services maintains what’s known as the Vaccine Injury Table, a list of recognized injuries and timelines for each vaccine. My Vaccine Lawyer breaks that information down in plain language on our own guide:
View the Vaccine Injury Table Explained by My Vaccine Lawyer
Reading that page helps you see whether your reaction is considered an “on-table” injury (automatically presumed related) or an “off-table” injury that needs more medical evidence. Either way, My Vaccine Lawyer builds every petition on solid documentation and expert testimony so your claim meets federal standards for compensation.
Speak With A Lawyer Now!
Filing Deadlines for Compensation
Time is key in every federal claim. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has strict filing deadlines, and missing them can end a valid case before it starts. In most situations, you have three years from the first sign of injury to file. If the injury resulted in death, the deadline is two years from that date. The court measures these timelines carefully, and the clock doesn’t stop while you search for medical opinions or paperwork.
Delays are the most common reason strong vaccine injury claims fail. Symptoms that start small: a sore arm, tingling, pain can turn into lasting problems months later, but the filing window still begins at the first documented symptom. Acting early gives your attorney time to gather medical records, confirm the causal relationship, and prepare the evidence the Court of Federal Claims requires. At My Vaccine Lawyer, every day counts. We file immediately once the evidence supports the claim, protecting your right to full compensation. Waiting too long doesn’t just risk the case, it can erase it. If you think a vaccine caused your injury, contact us today. We’ll review your timeline, confirm eligibility, and make sure your claim reaches the federal court before the deadline closes.
How We Handle Your Claim
Working with My Vaccine Lawyer means every step of your claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is handled for you. We don’t hand off files or pass you to a call center. You work directly with the attorney who builds and argues your case in the Court of Federal Claims.
Step 1 – Building the evidence
We gather your medical records, statements from healthcare providers, and proof of expenses and lost earnings. This becomes the foundation of the petitioner's claim, the legal document that starts your case.
Step 2 – Proving causation
Our team works with medical and economic experts to show a direct causal relationship between the covered vaccine and the injury. We prepare expert reports and witness statements that meet the court’s strict standards.
Step 3 – Fighting for full compensation
The Special Master reviews your petition. We press for every dollar available under the federal compensation system: for treatment, rehabilitation, and future income loss.
When negotiation won’t reach fair value, we litigate. Our attorneys have secured six- and seven-figure awards for serious adverse reactions across the country.
Step 4 – You keep what you win
All legal fees are paid separately by the federal program.Your award is that every cent stays with you.
For our clients, this process is more than paperwork. It’s proof that a federal system can still work for ordinary people when the right lawyers are in the room.
Get a Free Consultation & See What Your Claim Is Worth
Have your case evaluated directly from one of our vaccine lawyers.
The Legal Process for Vaccine Injury Cases
Vaccine injury cases follow a unique legal process. Since these claims are handled under the VICP, they require an attorney with experience in federal vaccine litigation. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we start with a free consultation to assess your claim. We then gather medical records, expert testimony, and supporting evidence to build a strong case. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
1. Contact Your Doctor
If you suffered a vaccine-related injury, adverse effects or worsening symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Still Have Questions?
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Are there vaccine injuries for children?
When a child is injured by a vaccine, the legal path is the same federal process but with extra safeguards. A parent or guardian files the petitioner's claim on the child’s behalf in the Court of Federal Claims. The case is reviewed by a Special Master under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, using medical records and expert reports to measure both the injury and its impact on the child’s future.
Why do you need a specialized vaccine injury lawyer for your child’s injury?
Children’s claims often involve MMR, DPT, flu, or hepatitis vaccines given during routine administration. We’ve handled cases where a shoulder injury stopped a teenager from playing sports for a year, or where a neurological reaction led to months of therapy and school absences. Every file shows how quickly a reaction can reshape family life.
Our attorneys focus on long-term outcomes: rehabilitation, missed schooling, and future earning potential. We prepare medical and economic evidence supporting each claim and file it in good faith so the family keeps the entire awarded compensation.
At My Vaccine Lawyer, we treat these cases with urgency and respect. Parents get direct contact with the attorney handling the claim, and we keep communication clear. For details on recognized injuries and timelines, see our guide to the Vaccine Injury Table.
If your child has suffered a serious adverse reaction after vaccination, contact us today. We’ll review medical records, confirm eligibility, and explain how federal law protects children under this compensation program.
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How is the Vaccine Injury Compensation trust fund supported?
The VICP was created by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (Vaccine Act) to address increasing lawsuits that threatened the nation's vaccine supply. The trust fund is financed through a small excise tax on each produced dose of a covered vaccine. This fund holds billions of dollars set aside to pay vaccine injury claims. Because compensation and attorney fees come from the fund, individuals can rest assured they will receive their full award without straining federal resources.
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What happens after my attorney files a petition in the Court of Federal Claims?
Once the petition is filed, a Special Master’s decision determines whether the evidence shows that a vaccine caused the injury. The process takes place in a United States court specifically designated for these cases, separate from civil courts. The federal government reviews the claim through the Department of Health and Human Services and its Health Resources division. If compensation is awarded, it comes from a federal trust—not from the manufacturer or doctor.
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How does the program handle cases involving children and childhood vaccines?
Children’s claims follow the same legal framework as adult claims but often require different medical evidence. Most petitions involve childhood vaccines such as the MMR vaccine, DPT vaccine (which protects against whooping cough), or human papillomavirus (HPV) shots. The focus is on documenting developmental, physical, or neurological changes and proving that they meet the legal standard for injury. The goal is always to compensate individuals fairly while supporting long-term care and recovery.
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How does this program differ from filing a personal injury or civil lawsuit?
Traditional personal injury cases require proving negligence through the traditional tort system. The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is different, it removes the need for a civil lawsuit entirely. Instead, cases are handled in federal court, reviewed by medical experts, and decided on medical evidence rather than fault. This design protects both vaccine access and the nation’s public health, while ensuring fair outcomes for those injured.
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What happens if my claim isn’t successful?
Even unsuccessful claims can qualify for reimbursement of legal fees if filed in good faith and supported by a reasonable basis. That means you can pursue a claim without financial risk. The federal government covers attorney costs so people with legitimate injuries aren’t discouraged from seeking justice.
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How much compensation do successful petitioners usually receive?
Each award depends on the injury’s impact. The average award changes from year to year, reflecting the seriousness of conditions and medical costs involved. Certain vaccines have set presumptive injuries that lead to faster resolution. Payments include reimbursement for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost income. Every dollar is paid from the federal trust, following the Special Master’s decision, under standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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