Zostavax® Class Action Lawsuit

Zostavax is a shingles vaccine that contains a live chickenpox virus. In rare cases, it actually causes shingles or severe chickenpox infections. Another problem is that Zostavax only prevents shingles in 50% of patients.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Zostavax induced injury cases in all 50 states, including:

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

If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with any of these side effects within 6 months of vaccination, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Vaccine Injury Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Overview

Zostavax is a shingles vaccine made by Merck & Co. It is the only shingles vaccine on the market that contains a live herpes zoster virus. The virus is “weakened,” which is supposed to trigger an immune response without actually causing the disease.

The problem is that Zostavax can actually cause shingles or chickenpox — the very same diseases it is supposed to prevent. Another problem is that Zostavax is only about 50% effective at preventing shingles.

In people with vulnerable immune systems, shingles and chickenpox infections can be devastating. Older patients are much more likely to develop excruciating chronic pain (postherpetic neuralgia) due to nerve damage in the skin. Shingles can also invade the eyes and cause permanent blindness.

Brain Damage

Brain damage is a severe complication that occurs when shingles causes inflammation in the brain. This inflammation, also known as “encephalitis,” can lead to neurological disorders. The symptoms may include paralysis, stroke, weakness, hearing or balance problems.

Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) occurs when the shingles virus damages nerve fibers in the skin, resulting in chronic pain. The pain is often extremely intense, burning, severe, or stabbing, resulting in lifelong disability. It occurs in about 1 in 5 people who get shingles.

Myelitis

Shingles infections in the spine can cause myelitis (spinal cord inflammation), one of the most serious complications of shingles. Spinal cord damage can result in permanent paralysis, numbness, weakness, pain, incontinence, or abnormal sensations like tingling.

Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy is a type of facial paralysis that occurs when the shingles virus causes inflammation of the nerves that control muscles in the face. The symptoms may include drooping facial features, drooling, jaw pain, and changes in tears, saliva, or the ability to taste.

Vision Loss

The shingles virus can attack the eyes and cause severe inflammation. This leads to permanent vision loss or blindness in about 20-30% of people. These complications often occur as a result of retinal damage (“necrotizing retinitis”).

Hearing Loss

About 30% of people who develop a shingles rash on their face or around their ears will suffer from persistent hearing loss or deafness. It can be permanent or temporary, but it usually only affects one ear.

What is the problem?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but we are not filing a Zostavax class action lawsuit. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits against Merck & Co. for people who were injured by severe side effects of the shingles vaccine.

Shingles Vaccine Side Effects

Shingles
Chickenpox
Varicella pneumonia
Hearing loss
Blindness
Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
Meningitis
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Chronic pain
Heart failure
Stroke
Death

About Class Actions

Class actions are useful when a lot of people need a refund after buying a defective product. However, they can have disadvantages for people with severe injuries. Members of a class action may have to accept “low-ball” settlements or higher attorneys’ fees.

Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action

Zostavax is not a routine childhood vaccine, so people who were injured cannot seek compensation through the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Instead, they must file a lawsuit against Merck & Co. in civil court.

Our lawyers specialize in helping people who were injured by dangerous vaccines seek compensation. If you experienced a severe side effect of Zostavax, you could be eligible for compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, disability, and more.

Do I have a Zostavax Lawsuit?