Newsroom

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 originally created the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a no-fault alternative to the traditional tort system. The VICP is administered by the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Healthcare Systems Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is venued in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington D.C. The VICP is entirely separate from the traditional tort lawsuit claims that one might expect with personal injury. The VICP was created because we recognize as a country that vaccines are good for the common benefit, however, in rare instances some vaccines can cause certain side effects. In order to stabilize vaccine costs and prevent vaccine shortages related to lawsuits from these rare occurrences, the legislature created the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This program established a Compensation Trust Fund that is funded by a $.75 tax on each vaccine that is recommended by the CDC. 

Partner Marc Weingarten not only works as a full time attorney at Locks Law Firm but also is a Judge Pro Tempore. Marc’s responsibilities with this title includes being assigned a certain number of cases per month and serves as a settlement master. He meets with counsel together, separately, and confidentially to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their positions. He will then make a report of his impressions which will contain his position and recommendations for the settlement in hearing.