Brachial Neuritis is a painful and potentially serious shoulder injury that can result from the improper administration of a vaccine.
Brachial neuritis, also known as brachial neuropathy or Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, is a condition that results from inflammation of the nerves in the shoulder. These nerves form for the brachial plexus, which runs from the spinal cord through the shoulder and into the arm.
Mistakes made during administration of a vaccine – such as injecting the vaccine too high on the shoulder or too deep into the arm – can lead to brachial neuritis. Instances of brachial neuritis have been linked to vaccines including, but not limited to: the flu shot, tetanus shot, HPV vaccination and the vaccine for Hepatitis B.
Symptoms of Brachial Neuritis
Individuals who suffer brachial neuritis due to vaccine administration often experience sudden and severe shoulder pain. This pain usually surfaces within days of the vaccination. However, for purposes of obtaining compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concedes that for specific vaccines, brachial neuritis, which occurs anywhere from 2 to 28 days after vaccine administration, as vaccine-related.
In most cases, the pain from brachial neuritis is restricted to the upper arm and shoulder near the site of the vaccine injection. However, in some instances patients have reported symmetrical pain in their other arm as well.
Other common symptoms of brachial neuritis include:
- Lack of muscle control in the arm and shoulder
- Loss of sensation in the arm and shoulder
- Pain transitioning to weakness or limpness in the arm and shoulder
- Paralysis in the arm or shoulder
For most patients, these symptoms can linger for months or even years. In a small percentage of cases, patients have experienced permanent weakness, loss of sensation and immobility.
Diagnosis and Treatment for a Brachial Neuritis Vaccine Injury
If a patient exhibits symptoms of brachial neuritis, his or her doctor will likely order an electromyography exam (EMG). An EMG consists of shocking the nerves in the brachial plexus to measure their response and inserting tiny needles into the shoulder to test electrical activity in the muscles, both during movement and at rest. This allows for pinpointing of the exact location, nature, and severity of the damage to the affected nerves.
Once a patient is diagnosed with brachial neuritis, treatment typically involves prescription of pain medications and Prednisone, which is a form of steroid. Your doctor may also suggest physical therapy, if necessary, in order to regain strength in the arm and shoulder. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair the nerves in the brachial plexus.
Helping You Get Compensation for Brachial Neuritis
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with brachial neuritis following a vaccination, our firm may be able to help you secure financial compensation from the government. Under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), individuals who experience vaccine injury can seek compensation without the need to file or pursue traditional lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers or administrators.
Because the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program pays all legal fees related to your claim, working with the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery to obtain compensation for your brachial neuritis vaccine injury will come at no financial cost to you. To get started with a complimentary consultation, contact us today to speak with a qualified vaccine lawyer. Our staff is available to quickly evaluate your claim to help you determine if money may be available for you. Call us at 1-844-789-2047 now.