The CICP Is Broken Beyond Repair: Mctlaw Attorneys Insist COVID Vaccine Injuries Must Move Into the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)
The attorneys at mctlaw argue that the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a failure and unable to effectively compensate people with COVID-19 vaccine injuries. Instead, these cases should shift to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) which has a 35-year proven track record. A recent lawsuit to fix the Countermeasures Program is pointless when the VICP already exists.
“The Countermeasures Program is a disaster happening in slow motion,” says noted mctlaw vaccine injury attorney Anne Toale, who is working to move COVID vaccine injuries into the VICP. “Thousands of people are stuck in a CICP system that was never designed to help them. Fixing it is pointless when there’s a better alternative,” adds Toale. “Americans with severe vaccine reactions deserve the justice and due process they would get in the long-established VICP.”
Countermeasures Program Offers No Accountability or Transparency
The CICP, often dubbed a “black hole,” has only compensated 0.3% of all claims ever filed, according to data on the HRSA website. As of October 2023, only 6 individuals received CICP compensation for COVID-19 vaccine injuries so far. The program does not cover pain and suffering, provides no avenue for legal appeal, and lacks transparency in its decision-making.
Vaccine Injury Program Has 35-Year Track Record of Helping Vaccine Injured
The VICP, overseen by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, offers superior compensation and nearly $4.4 billion in available funds. The program covers lost wages, pain, suffering, and future medical expenses. Additionally, it allows for free legal representation and appeals.
Over its 35-year history, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has efficiently paid out more than $5-billion dollars to almost ten thousand vaccine injured claimants according to HRSA. In contrast, the CICP has failed to deliver for COVID-19 vaccine injuries.
Bipartisan Support in Congress to add COVID Vaccines to the VICP and Increase Staffing
Bipartisan legislation aims to enhance the VICP’s capability to handle COVID-19 claims. Bills HR5142 and HR5143 propose to streamline the addition of new vaccines like COVID to the VICP. They also aim to ensure adequate staffing for the program.
Congress Must Act Now to Help Americans with COVID Vaccine Injuries
Our firm anticipates that COVID vaccine injuries will eventually move to the VICP. However, Congress must act now to get this done. These bills offer the best chance to build public trust in vaccinations.
A transparent and reliable system like the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program can reassure people that there’s a well-established backup plan if something goes wrong. Fixing the failing CICP is like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound.
