Lommen Nelson Explores Possible Link Between Childhood Vaccines and Autism

1/8/2002

Over the past 10 years, there appears to have been an increase in the diagnosis of autism in children. In the same time period, children have been exposed to increased amounts of thimerosal, a perservative used in childhood vaccines. Thimerosal is a toxic organic mercury. The increased exposure to thimerosal has occurred, at least in part, due to the increase in the number of vaccinations children now receive. The average two year old, in a routine vaccination schedule, may receive more than 20 times the amount of mercury exposure recommended by U.S. EPA guidelines issued to protect developing infants from brain damage. Thimerosal continues to be used as a preservative for multi-dose vials of childhood vaccines. While several vaccine manufacturers have been slowly switching to those vaccines which do not contain thimerosal, there are still vaccine supplies in the marketplace which may contain this preservative.

Attorneys around the country are filing claims on behalf of children diagnosed with an autism disorder who can establish that they received vaccines containing thimerosal for the childhood immunizations. The Lommen Nelson Law Firm represents families who wish to present claims to the National Vaccine Compensation Program and in other related civil litigation.

Federal law requires that vaccine injury claims involving specific vaccines which were administered after October 1, 1988 must first be filed with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program before civil litigation through the tort system can be pursued. Childhood vaccines containing thimerosal which are covered under the vaccine injury compensation program may include, but are not limited to, DTAP, DPT, HIB, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pneumococcal.

If you have a child who has been diagnosed with a neurological developmental disorder, including being diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder, and you want to investigate whether your child’s symptoms are related to the vaccines received in his or her childhood, Lommen Nelson can help answer your questions and evaluate your possible legal case. Information needed for a complete evaluation will include (1) prenatal medical records of the mother, (2) labor and delivery records, (3) the child’s pediatric records, (4) a list and dates of immunizations, including lot and manufacturing number (obtainable from the pediatrician or clinic), and (5) records documenting the diagnosis of autism.

If Lommen Nelson determines that your child’s case meets the requirements to establish a viable action, a claim will be presented to the National Vaccine Compensation Program for consideration. This program may deny the child’s claim or offer an award. The parents have the ability to accept or reject the award and pursue civil litigation. If the program determines the child’s case is not compensable under the program, or the parents/guardians reject an award, the Lommen Nelson Law Firm will then consider pursuing litigation on a contingency basis through the civil tort system.

If your child has developed autistic symptoms after receiving vaccinations and you are interested in evaluating your possible legal causes of action, please contact Sheila Bjorklund at 612-339-8131, 800-752-4297, or sheila@lommen.com.