Narcolepsy
Swine flu
Nearly 80 getting compensation for narcolepsy from swine flu vaccination
16/1/12
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Nearly+80+getting+compensation+for+narcolepsy+from+swine+flu+vaccination/1135270179558
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The payment of compensation for narcolepsy attributed to
the H1N1, or swine flu vaccine during the pandemic of 2009 has started.
In the first stages, 78 children and young people will get an advance
payout of EUR 10,000 – 20,000. The sum might increase later, says
Asko Nio of
the Finnish Pharmaceutical Insurance Pool.
Applications have been received on behalf of 111 children and young
people. Some of the applications arrived this week, and they have not been
processed yet. There are about ten uncertain cases.
Those who were diagnosed with narcolepsy after
getting the vaccination are to get a one-off payment for both temporary and
permanent harm.
For temporary damage, mainly pain and suffering, all are getting an
immediate payment of EUR 8,700.
The compensation follows the lines of what
would be paid out for a serious traffic accident involving a week in
hospital, months of recovery time, and a significant lifelong injury.
The advance payout for permanent damage suffered by the narcolepsy
patients is EUR 13,600. Those who are 18 years old or more will get the sum
immediately. Those who are younger will get part of it now and the rest when
they turn 18.
The final sums of money will be ironed out when the narcolepsy
patients’ health conditions stabilise. Each individual patient’s condition
will be assessed separately. This usually happens between three and five
years from the onset of symptoms.
In addition to the one-off payments, children
and young people suffering from narcolepsy attributed to the H1N1 vaccine
will also get compensated for treatment, travel, and drug costs.
The parents will also be reimbursed for lost earnings if they need to
take time off work to care for a sick child.
When they are older the victims will be
entitled to compensation for a diminished capacity to earn a living.
The main symptom of narcolepsy is falling asleep unexpectedly.
Problems with memory and learning are also common, and the disease can be a
serious impediment to establishing normal human relationships.
Previously in HS International Edition:
Swine flu vaccine and narcolepsy: questions and answers (2.2.2011)
H1N1 vaccinations suspended over narcolepsy scare (25.8.2010)
Narcolepsy link to swine flu vaccine established - victims to get
compensation (2.9.2011)
Study: Swine flu itself may trigger narcolepsy (23.8.2011)
Hundreds of reports of harm from swine flu shots (14.3.2011)