The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program | Panel Discussion

This two-hour program will highlight distinctive aspects of litigation brought under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Due to recent events, vaccine litigation has received national attention. Whether Congress will expand redressable injuries under the Vaccine Act in light of that attention remains to be seen. Even so, vaccine litigation is a vital and emerging field of federal law. These cases are often complex, involving cutting-edge immunology and complicated legal issues. To date, total vaccine injury awards exceed $4 billion. Unique provisions of law sometimes permit legal counsel to recover fees and costs even where no compensation is awarded to the petitioner.

Congress established the Vaccine Program as a no-fault compensation program whereby individuals suffering injury as a result of the administration of certain vaccines can petition for compensation. Congress intended that the Vaccine Program provide individuals with a less adversarial alternative to the often costly and lengthy civil arena of traditional tort litigation. These claims are within the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Federal Claims and the Office of Special Masters.

This stellar panel discussion will feature Judge Patricia Campbell-Smith who previously served as a special master prior to her tenure on the United States Court of Federal Claims; Chief Special Master Brian Corcoran on behalf of the Office of Special Masters; retired Chicago-Kent Professor Ed Kraus representing the petitioners’ bar; and Deputy Director Heather Pearlman of the Torts Branch of the Department of Justice representing the respondents’ bar. Each will provide a different, invaluable perspective on the background, practicalities, and challenges of vaccine injury litigation. This program will take place in person at the Chicago-Kent College of Law on October 13, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. CST and is intended to qualify for 2 CLE Credits. Live streaming will be available to members of the Court of Federal Claims Bar Association.

This panel discussion will take place in person at Chicago-Kent's Olgivie Auditorium.