In a new development in the case of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. An American woman who participated in the clinical trial of the vaccine filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that it left her “permanently disabled.”
Former teacher Brianne Dressen, 42, filed a lawsuit against the company for breach of contract. After she said that AstraZeneca failed to provide medical care for the vaccine’s side effects. As she developed a severe neurological condition after participating in a vaccine trial in 2020.
The company did not cover medical costs
Dressen claimed in court on Monday that she had signed an agreement with the company in which she promised to “pay for the costs of medical treatment for research injuries. Provided that the costs are reasonable and that you do not cause the injury yourself.” According to a report by the British newspaper “The Telegraph.”
She also mentioned that the company refused to cover medical expenses after she experienced an intense sensation of pins and needles throughout her body, occurring shortly after she received the vaccine in November 2020.
She said she was left unable to work after being diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes numbness and pain due to nerve damage.
Post-vaccine neuropathy
While her condition was classified as “post-vaccine neuropathy” due to its connection to the injection.
In addition, she revealed that the injury forced her to leave her job, indicating that she is still permanently disabled. In addition to the constant feeling of pins and needles running through her body, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, she said.
Following several hospitalizations post-vaccination, she reported that her medical expenses had accumulated to thousands of dollars. She also mentioned her refusal to pay a nominal fee that could have limited her liability in potential legal actions.
Her lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Where the British-made vaccine was tested in clinical trials but was never approved for use.
More than 50 suits
While more than 50 people have filed a class action lawsuit against the company in the UK. In a case that could result in millions of pounds in damages. The company asked the European Union to withdraw the license for its vaccine in member states last week.
Utah law, where Dressen lives, allows complainants who sue for breach of contract to seek damages for breach of contract. Which could result in significant damages if the court finds in her favor.
It is noteworthy that there is a documented link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and neurological conditions such as peripheral neuropathy in some rare cases of patients who received the vaccine.
A study published last year in the journal Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports found a higher-than-expected incidence of severe neurological symptoms after different types of Covid-19 vaccination. But concluded that the evidence was not strong enough to recommend withdrawing the vaccine.
