Transverse Myelitis Vaccine Injury

Learn about Transverse Myelitis and how to get legal help

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Lisa suffered SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration) following a flu shot. Her vaccine injury claim was filed in the Federal Vaccine Court (VICP) by vaccine lawyer David Carney where she obtained a large cash settlement for her pain and suffering, lost wages and out of pocket medical expenses.

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### What Is Transverse Myelitis (TM)? Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory disease that causes injury to the spinal cord with varying degrees of weakness, sensory alterations, and autonomic dysfunction. Inflammation within the spinal cord interrupts communications between nerve fibers in the spinal cord and the rest of the body, affecting sensation and nerve signaling below the injury. Transverse myelitis generally presents with rapidly progressing muscle weakness or paralysis, beginning with the legs and moving to the arms with varying degrees of severity. Sensation is diminished below the level of spinal cord involvement in the majority of individuals. Pain and temperature sensation are usually diminished and joint position sense and the ability to feel vibrations are decreased. Most individuals diagnosed with transverse myelitis report a tight banding or girdle-like sensation around the trunk, with the area being very sensitive to touch. Approximately 80% of cases reach their peak deficits 10 days after the onset of their symptoms. Our Transverse Myelitis vaccine injury lawyers can determine if you have a case.

### How Is Transverse Myelitis Diagnosed? Vaccinations for infectious diseases — including influenza, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus vaccines — have occasionally been associated as a possible trigger for transverse myelitis. Diagnosis of TM is based on clinical and radiological findings. First, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord is obtained to assess if there is a compressive or inflammatory lesion on the spinal cord. Next, a lumbar puncture is used to look for elevated white cell counts, elevated protein and an elevated IgG index in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Intravenous steroid treatment is the first line of therapy often used in acute TM. Plasma exchange (PLEX) is utilized in moderate to severe TM in individuals who show little clinical improvement after first initiating the intravenous steroid treatment. PLEX is a way of removing blood plasma and exchanging it with blood products to be donated to the recipient. The removed plasma is discarded, and the patient receives replacement donor plasma, albumin, or a combination of albumin and saline. PLEX has been shown to be effective in adults with TM and other inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system.

### What Is the Prognosis for Transverse Myelitis? Most people with transverse myelitis have at least partial recovery, with most recovery taking place within the first 3 months after the attack. For some people, recovery may continue for up to 2 years (and in some cases, longer). However, if there is no improvement within the first 3 to 6 months, complete recovery is unlikely (although partial recovery can still occur and still requires rehabilitation). Aggressive acute treatment and physical therapy have been shown to improve outcomes. Some individuals are left with moderate disability (such as trouble walking, nerve sensitivity, and bladder and bowel problems) while others may have permanent weakness, spasticity, and other complications. Myelitis attacks with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) tend to be more severe and are associated with less recovery than attacks with multiple sclerosis. Research has shown that a rapid onset of symptoms generally results in poorer recovery.

### What treatment is available for transverse myelitis? Treatments are designed to address infections that may cause the disorder, reduce spinal cord inflammation, and manage and alleviate symptoms. Intravenous corticosteroid drugs, plasma exchange therapy (plasmapheresis), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), pain medicines, and antiviral medications have all been used to treat individuals with transverse myelitis. Usually, physicians will utilize one of these treatment regimens and determine its success before moving to another treatment.

### Can Transverse Myelitis be caused by vaccines? Transverse Myelitis can be caused by other immune system disorders, viral infections, bacterial infections and fungal infections. Vaccinations for infectious diseases — including influenza, hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus vaccines — have occasionally been associated as a possible trigger for transverse myelitis.

### Have you been injured by a vaccine? A licensed vaccine injury attorney can review your case for free If you or a loved one believe you have suffered an injury from a vaccine, please request a callback below and our licensed vaccine injury attorney David Carney and his vaccine injury team will contact you directly to personally discuss your case with you free of charge.

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At Green & Schafle, we work tirelessly every day to make sure our clients’ cases become our causes. Our clients have suffered some of the most tragic and catastrophic outcomes through no fault of their own and it is our job to not only advocate for them to get justice, but to also listen to their hardships and care about them as people so that we can be the best trial lawyers we can for their cases. At Green & Schafle, we advocate for our clients through three core principles:

Authentic. We will always be honest, forthright and direct when analyzing the merits of your case, the status of your lawsuit, and the reasonable outcomes associated your particular case.

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Communication. We will always be responsive to your requests for updates and education on your case. This is a team effort and our goal to is make sure you are updated and informed every step of the way so that you can feel good about how your case is being handled.

These are our core principles at Green & Schafle where #GreenCares.

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Meet David Carney

David is one of the nation’s leading vaccine trial lawyers focusing his practice on vaccine-related injuries

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David Carney Lawyer | The Green & Schafle Legal Team

Meet Evan Baker

Evan has devoted her practice to representing individuals injured by vaccines

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Evan Baker Lawyer | The Green & Schafle Legal Team
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What is the VICP? How does the VICP Work? What Vaccines are Covered by the VICP? How to File a Petition? Who Can File a Petition? What are the VICP Petition Steps? Do You Need a Lawyer to File a VICP Petition? What are the VICP Vaccine Injury Severity Requirements? What are the VICP Statute of Limitations? What are Vaccine Injury Settlements and Payouts?
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