Mothers Wins Compensation After MMR Injection Left Son Disabled

Author: Paul Rooney Solicitors
Published: 2010/09/22 - Updated: 2015/03/31

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: A Warrington mother has won a legal battle for compensation after her son was left severely disabled by the MMR vaccine.

Introduction

A Warrington mother has won a 13-year battle for compensation after her son was left severely disabled by the MMR vaccine.

Main Content

Jackie Fletcher received a payout of £90,000 from the Government for her son Robert, who suffered severe brain damage after having the controversial jab when he was 13 months old.

Robert, now 18, frequently has epileptic fits, is unable to talk, stand unaided or feed himself, and as such, he requires round-the-clock care from Jackie and his father John.

Jackie has always believed that the MMR jab triggered her son's illness; Robert suffered a fit just ten days after receiving the vaccine.

Having had her original application for compensation under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme rejected in 1997, Jackie appealed the decision, and a medical assessment panel of two doctors and a barrister has now concluded that the vaccine was to blame for Robert's condition.

Jackie, who now runs a support group for families seeking compensation claims for their vaccine-damaged children, said the money would go towards making adaptations to the family home for Robert's benefit.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "The safety of MMR has been endorsed through numerous studies in many countries. It has been used extensively and safely around the world for over 30 years.

"The World Health Organization recognizes MMR as being a 'highly effective vaccine which has an outstanding safety record'. Parents and carers should continue to get their children immunized when called to do so."

Ref: PRS-HS-03910.