The shingles vaccine Zostavax is only 50% effective at preventing shingles, and in rare cases actually causes shingles or chickenpox. These infections can have devastating long-term side effects like chronic pain and blindness, especially in older adults.
Need a Texas Zostavax Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by Zostavax, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Our lawyers are accepting cases involving any of the following side effects within 6 months of vaccination with Zostavax:
- Serious neurological diseases or disorders, including brain inflammation (encephalitis)
- Herpetic Neuralgia (disorder in the nerves)
- Postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN (pain continuing after shingles blister subside)
- Myelitis (spinal cord inflammation)
- Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis)
- Vision problems, including: blindness, eye infections, and retinal damage (necrotizing retinitis)
- Hearing loss
Overview
Zostavax is a shingles vaccine made by Merck & Co. It has been on the market since 2006 and is approved for adults over 50. It contains a “live attenuated virus,” meaning it has a living herpes zoster virus that has been weakened — but the vaccine is still 14X stronger than the chickenpox vaccine for children.
Chickenpox and Shingles
Chickenpox and shingles are both caused by herpes zoster. This virus remains inactive in the body for decades after a child recovers from chickenpox. For unknown reasons, it re-activates in older adults and causes shingles.
Can Zostavax Cause Shingles?
Yes. “Shingles” was added to the list of Zostavax side effects in August 2014. The vaccine-strain of virus can also cause other infestations and infections, such as chickenpox, according to the FDA.
What About Blindness?
Yes. The FDA ordered Merck to add “necrotizing retinitis” to the list of Zostavax side effects in February 2016. Eye injuries occur when the virus gets into the eyes and causes inflammation, tissue damage, progressive vision loss, and blindness.
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles that occurs when the virus damages nerve fibers in the skin. After the rash goes away, about 1 in 5 people are left with chronic pain. The pain may be excruciating, burning, stabbing, or intense — resulting in permanent disability and decreased quality of life. Up to 74% of people over 70 years old who get shingles suffer from chronic pain.
Brain Inflammation (Encephalitis)
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain that can cause permanent brain damage and other neurological disorders. These severe complications can result in permanent disability or death. Many victims are left with paralysis, hearing or balance problems, or suffer a stroke.
Deafness and Hearing Problems
About 30% of people who develop the shingles rash near their ears will be left with persistent hearing loss after the rash goes away. The hearing problems from shingles can be permanent or temporary. In some cases, victims go completely deaf in one ear. This can result in permanent disability.
How Effective is Zostavax?
Zostavax only prevents shingles in about 50% of people who get the vaccine. In studies comparing Zostavax to a placebo, shingles occurred in 1.7% of people who got Zostavax vs. 3.3% of people who did not.
Zostavax Shingles or Chickenpox Side Effects
- Chronic pain
- Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Varicella pneumonia (lung infection)
- Brain inflammation (encephalitis)
- Meningitis
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome
- Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
- Heart problems
- Stroke
- Death
What is the problem?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm in Texas, but we are not filing a Zostavax class action. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits against Merck & Co. on behalf of people who were seriously injured by side effects.
About Class Actions
Class actions are usually filed by one person on behalf of everyone who was injured. This improves efficiency, but it is not designed to maximize compensation for individual members with the most severe injuries.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
Members of class actions may have to accept “low-ball” settlements or higher attorneys’ fees. Most consumer class actions never go to trial. Furthermore, everyone in the class action must share the payout.
Instead of a class action, our lawyers are filing individual Zostavax lawsuits. We help people who were injured by dangerous medications seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent injuries, lost income, and more.
Need a Zostavax Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Zostavax lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: