MMR Vaccine Injury: $43.1M Award

[Guest guest]

( someone needs to send a note to Dempsy - oh you should go on and give vaccinations

 

 

and be responsible ??)

Allie

 

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14982718.htmKansas City Star, MOPosted on Fri, Jul. 07, 2006Boy is Awarded $43.1 Million: The 7-Year-Old's Settlement Comes Under aNational Vaccine Compensation Program.By Julius A. Karash, The Kansas City Star, Mo.In what is thought to be one of the largest such settlements ever, aquadriplegic boy has been awarded $43.1 million under a government vaccineinjury program.Seven-year-old Mario Arturo Rodriguez, who once lived in Kansas City andreceived a vaccination at Children's Mercy Hospital, will receive the moneyunder a settlement reached this week through the no-fault National VaccineInjury Compensation Program of the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices.Mario's case alleged that he became a quadriplegic after receiving ameasles, mumps and rubella vaccine at Children's Mercy Hospital's pediatricclinic on Jan. 25, 2000.The hospital was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Under theguidelines of the program, the litigation was filed against the Departmentof Health and Human Services.Kansas City attorney Leland Dempsey, who represented Mario, said Thursdaythat it was his understanding that the settlement was one of the biggestever reached under the program."One unusual aspect of the case is that Mario is expected to have a normallifespan, and therefore will require more years of care that will cost moremoney," Dempsey said. "He will need round-the-clock care, includingextensive medical intervention, throughout his life."Dempsey said the money will be paid over Mario's lifetime, probablybeginning with about $2 million this year. The boy lives with his mother inOak Harbor, Wash., he said.Bill Hall, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services inWashington, said Thursday that he was not familiar with the case andtherefore could not comment.According to statistics on the department's Web site,www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation, in fiscal year 2006 the fund paid out atotal of $38.2 million in cases involving 47 awards.The program was established in 1988 to ensure an adequate supply ofvaccines, stabilize vaccine costs and establish an accessible forum forthose injured by vaccines. A small percentage of children have seriousreactions to vaccinations.Dempsey emphasized that Mario's injuries are highly unusual and that parentsshould not hesitate to get their children immunized against diseases."I can't imagine that anyone would refrain from getting their childimmunized," Dempsey said. "It would be irresponsible."To reach Julius A. Karash, call (816) 234-4918 or send e-mail tojkarash.