AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Claim

Leigh Day is representing 50 individuals and families who claim they suffered a serious and, in some instances deadly, complication of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The claim is being brought against AstraZeneca UK Limited to secure financial compensation for the affected families. For some of the families involved, they have lost primary wage earners, for others, they are learning to care for loved ones who have complex brain injuries and other physical disabilities as a result of their vaccine induced injuries.

Leigh Day and many of those we represent recognise the importance of vaccination. It is therefore important to state that this is not an “anti-vaccination” case. It is, however, a case about fairness – a case in which we are trying to secure fair compensation for those families who paid the ultimate personal price for agreeing to be vaccinated during the pandemic.

There is a Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme in the UK, which recognises that there should be a safety net to support people in circumstances where vaccination goes wrong. Those who suffer severe injury can apply for financial support where they can show that a vaccine caused injury or death. However, the scheme is outdated and provides maximum compensation of £120,000. That figure has not been revised since 2010, which means that the scheme offers too little, too late to too few people.

With the only available scheme unfit for purpose, those injured or bereaved through vaccination feel they have no choice but to take legal action to recover the financial support they desperately need.

Leigh Day is working with our clients to achieve that goal.

What is the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine claim about?

Leigh Day only acts for individuals and families who suffered a specific complication after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine known as Vaccine Induced Immune Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia, or VITT.

Clinical evidence suggests that this is a specific syndrome involving those affected suffering from widespread blood clots and simultaneous low platelet counts. AstraZeneca have now accepted that in rare cases, their COVID-19 vaccine can cause a combination of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia, which they refer to as TTS.

The case is being brought under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and is a product liability claim. To win, we must show that the vaccine was less safe than our clients were entitled to expect.

The UK Government indemnified AstraZeneca during the pandemic, which means that while AstraZeneca is the formal Defendant, the UK Government is effectively paying for AstraZeneca to defend the claim, and will cover the cost of compensation if the claim is successful. The exact terms of the indemnity agreement between the Government and AstraZeneca has not been disclosed. However, this position is consistent with indemnities that the UK Government put in place with many vaccine manufacturers during the pandemic; the purpose being to encourage companies to produce vaccines at a rapid pace by effectively granting these companies cost protection from any future product liability claims related to the vaccine.

Sarah Moore and the Leigh Day team have been an amazing support for the vaccine injured and bereaved. Always professional but with empathy and kindness.

Kate Scott, whose husband is severely injured as a result of VIIT.

Pushing for reform

Leigh Day is working with the campaign group VIBUK and other prominent academics and politicians, including former Attorney General Sir Jeremy Wright MP, to push to reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Act. If a fair scheme were in place, then litigation would not be necessary. That would be better for all parties involved, but in particular for the families and individuals whom we represent who have to take one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world to court, backed by the UK Government, to get the financial support they desperately need.

Reform of the VDPA is part of Module 4 of the COVID-19 Sarah Moore , lead partner on the case has provided witness evidence to the COVID-19 Inquiry – advocating for reform of the VDPA.

The legal case is ongoing and is likely to reach trial in 2025/2026.

VIBUK recently delivered a petition to Downing Street with one of their MPs Sir Jeremy Wright.

What our clients say

The work that Sarah Moore and the Leigh Day team are doing cannot be overstated. They are professional, accessible, excellent communicators and regularly keep us updated on developments. They are addressing an issue that many law firms have been unwilling to address. But what they offer goes far beyond an individual case. It’s about doing the right thing.

Sheila Ward, whose husband lost his life as a result of VIIT

Fundraising for the case against AstraZeneca

The VITT Litigation Group is raising funds through CrowdJustice in support of the legal costs of those injured and bereaved by the AstraZeneca vaccine.

For more information or to make a pledge please visit crowdjustice.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Unfortunately, at present Leigh Day is unable to take on further legal claims.

To ensure that those whom we represent have access to adequate compensation to ensure that, in the case of vaccine injuries, the Claimants can access adequate care and financial support: In cases of bereavement we are assisting families in accessing compensation to provide financial stability for families who have lost a main wage-earner or other contributor to the household’s finances. Those who have instructed us fully understand that no amount of compensation can ever repair the injuries suffered or heal the pain of bereavement – but it can make life more bearable for those affected. The legal action also ensures that this issue remains in the public eye and maintains pressure on the Government to bring about reforms of the VDPS.

No. By definition, all of those whom we represent were, at least of the date of their vaccination willing to step forward and have the vaccination that the Government recommended. Moreover, many of those whom we represent still believe in the crucial part that vaccinations have to play in pandemic preparedness and any future pandemic: However, it is crucial, if the Government wish to maintain vaccine confidence across society, that there is a proper “safety net” in the form of a VDPS that can provide adequate compensation for the individuals and families who do suffer catastrophic “adverse events” following vaccinations recommended by the Government.

You may wish to approach another law firms: Find a Solicitor - The Law Society: Consider making an application to the VDPS: Vaccine Damage Payment: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk): And/or join the campaign for VDPS reform: Families fighting for Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme Reform... | Find Others

The VDPS, in its current form offers too little, too late to too few people: For further information on Leigh Day’s position on the VDPS please see here: The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme is outdated and urgently needs reform | Leigh Day

Yes. At the moment the COVID19 Inquiry has this as a topic for consideration before the Panel.

Vaccine Injured Bereaved UK (VIBUK) is made up of individuals and families who have either been severely injured or bereaved as a direct result of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. VIBUK is campaigning for the government to reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) part of the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 (VDPA).

Further information about VIBUK van be found here: Families fighting for Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme Reform... | Find Others