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TDaP and DTaP Vaccine Injuries
If You Suffered A Serious Reaction After A Tdap Or Dtap Vaccine, You May Qualify For Compensation Through The VICP.
Tdap and Dtap are part of the government’s list of covered vaccines. While these vaccines play an important role in public health, they have also been linked to serious, sometimes debilitating, adverse events in a small number of individuals. These include conditions such as shoulder injuries (SIRVA), Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and severe allergic reactions that require medical attention.
The VICP is not a traditional lawsuit. Instead, it’s a specialized legal process overseen by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. If your injury meets the program’s eligibility requirements, including the type of vaccine, the nature and timing of your symptoms, and proof of medical treatment, you may be entitled to financial compensation. That usually includes reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At My Vaccine Lawyer, we represent clients nationwide in VICP claims involving Tdap, Dtap, and other covered vaccines. We handle the legal process from start to finish, at no cost to you. If you're unsure whether your injury qualifies, we can review your case and medical records and help you understand your options.

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Hear Cheryl's Vaccine Injury Story
Cheryl, a former client of My Vaccine Lawyer, shares her experience with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following a flu shot. She describes the sudden onset of pain, limited shoulder mobility, and a long recovery process that led her to seek legal help from attorney Max Muller.
With his support, Cheryl filed a successful claim through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and received a settlement covering her medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. SIRVA symptoms typically include sudden pain within 48 hours of vaccination, restricted range of motion, and discomfort that can last for weeks or months.
Why The Diphtheria Vaccine Requires Legal Attention
While most people view Tdap and Dtap as routine immunizations, these vaccines contain components like diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and the pertussis component, that occasionally cause strong immune responses in rare cases.
Because they’re given across multiple age groups and often bundled with other vaccines, it's easy to overlook them as a cause when severe complications develop. But the government has recognized this risk: both vaccines are listed on the VICP injury table, meaning legal review is not just appropriate, it’s often necessary to get compensation.
Who May Qualify to File a Claim After a Tdap or Dtap Vaccine Injury
If you or your child developed a serious health condition after receiving a Tdap or Dtap vaccine, you may be eligible to file a claim through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program allows individuals to seek compensation for specific vaccine-related injuries without suing a doctor or healthcare provider.
To determine eligibility, we look at a combination of factors:
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The vaccine must be covered by the program — both Tdap and Dtap are.
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The injury must match those recognized by the VICP or have a strong basis for causation.
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The timing of symptom onset must fall within accepted windows.
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There must be medical documentation of the condition.
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The claim must be filed within the legal deadline.
Injuries Commonly Compensated Under the VICP
If your injury involved one of the following conditions, and symptoms began within the timeframe listed, your case may qualify for compensation:
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SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration): Symptoms must begin within 48 hours
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Anaphylaxis: Within 4 hours
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Brachial Neuritis: Within 2 to 28 days
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): Generally 3 to 42 days
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Seizures or neurological complications in children (Dtap): Often within 72 hours
These timeframes are based on the Vaccine Injury Table used by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to assess eligibility.
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Tdap and Dtap Vaccines and the Potential for Compensation
Tdap and Dtap vaccines are routinely administered in the United States: Dtap to infants and young children, and Tdap to older children, adults, and pregnant women. We’ve represented clients who lost months of mobility, missed work, and needed surgery, all after receiving a vaccine that was meant to protect them.
What Happens When These Vaccines Cause Injury?
In rare cases, patients experience significant adverse outcomes following a Tdap or Dtap dose. These include:
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Shoulder injuries like SIRVA
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Nerve conditions such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome or brachial neuritis
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Severe allergic reactions
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Neurological complications in children following Dtap administration
These injuries are recognized under the VICP and many result in successful legal claims. Our firm has handled a wide range of Tdap and Dtap injury cases, including:
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A $142,500 settlement for a woman who developed brachial neuritis after a Tdap vaccination
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A $125,000 settlement for a client who suffered SIRVA following a routine adult Tdap booster
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A $199,750 settlement involving a Dtap-related shoulder injury in a young child
These are not isolated outcomes. We have fought on behalf of many whose lives were adversely affected by a seemingly innocuous vaccine. Read more of our notable settlements.
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Legal Process and Connection to the VICP
If you experienced serious side effects after a Tdap or Dtap vaccine, you may be eligible for compensation through the VICP. This federal program supports people injured by covered vaccines, including those for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
The process toward compensation is evidence-based and this is why you need a specialized vaccine injury lawyer. Our lawyers gather medical records, consult experts, and file a detailed petition backed by documentation. Compensation includes out-of-pocket costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. A strong legal team ensures your case is complete, accurate, and submitted on time, giving you the best chance to recover what you’re entitled to under the law.
Get a Free Consultation & See What Your Claim Is Worth
Have your case evaluated directly from one of our vaccine lawyers.
The Legal Process for Vaccine Injury Cases
Vaccine injury cases follow a unique legal process. Since these claims are handled under the VICP, they require an attorney with experience in federal vaccine litigation. At My Vaccine Lawyer, we start with a free consultation to assess your claim. We then gather medical records, expert testimony, and supporting evidence to build a strong case. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
1. Contact Your Doctor
If you suffered a vaccine-related injury, adverse effects or worsening symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Still Have Questions?
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What if I’m not sure whether I got a Tdap or Dtap shot?
People often don’t remember the specific vaccine given, especially during ER visits or wound care. Whether it was Tdap, Dtap, Td, or a tetanus-only dose, your medical records will show the product administered. A lawyer will review those records to confirm if it’s a VICP-covered vaccine. This is especially important since Td vaccines are often used interchangeably, and additional booster doses increase the risk of injury in sensitive patients.
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My child had a fever and swelling after a Dtap dose—can I still file?
Yes, especially if your child required medical treatment or symptoms lasted beyond a day or two. In the children program schedule, Dtap is given as early as 2 months, so injuries often go unreported. Issues like high fever, persistent swelling, or febrile seizures following a Dtap dose may qualify, especially if symptoms affected daily activity or needed follow-up care. One of our specialized attorneys will determine if it meets the diphtheria vaccination timeline and criteria.
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How does diphtheria work in these combination vaccines?
The diphtheria component in both Tdap and Dtap uses an inactivated toxin, called diphtheria toxoid, to train the body’s immune systems to fight future exposure. It’s a critical ingredient in stopping the spread of this bacterial illness, which potentially is deadly without treatment. In rare cases, however, the body’s response to the vaccine may trigger inflammation, nerve issues, or a neurological disorder. Knowing how diphtheria works in the vaccine helps explain why reactions, though extremely rare, can occur.
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How does the government determine if I qualify for compensation?
A court-appointed Special Master at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims reviews your case. They look at your medical records, timelines, and symptom patterns to decide if the vaccine likely caused your condition. Since millions of doses are administered every year, the government uses this system to separate expected side effects from true injuries. If the evidence supports a link, they’ll award compensation, even if your insurance provider didn’t cover treatment.
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What does “Tdap stands for” and why does that matter in a claim?
Tdap stands for tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis, a version of the pertussis vaccine with fewer side effects than older formulas. Understanding this matters because the diphtheria tetanus and pertussis components are the reason some people experience delayed or systemic reactions. These vaccines are part of the country’s disease control strategy, helping vaccines protect against outbreaks of highly contagious illnesses. But if you were injured by one, the VICP gives you a legal path to compensation.
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