Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§300aa–11 Petitions for compensation
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 6A— - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER XIX— - VACCINES › Part Part 2— - National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program › Subpart subpart a— - program requirements › § 300aa–11
Summary
To get money for a vaccine-related injury or death, you must serve the Secretary and file a petition with the United States Court of Federal Claims. The court clerk will immediately send the petition to the chief special master to assign a special master. You generally cannot sue a vaccine maker or vaccinator in State or Federal court for more than $1,000 for injuries from vaccines given after October 1, 1988, unless you first filed a petition under the Program and either the Court of Federal Claims gave a judgment on that petition and you choose to sue, or you withdraw the petition. If a barred lawsuit is filed in State or Federal court, the court must dismiss it. If you file a petition within one year after that dismissal, the date the dismissed lawsuit was filed counts as the petition filing date for time-limit purposes. Vaccine makers and vaccinators cannot normally be named as defendants in other civil suits for injuries from vaccines given after October 1, 1988. If a civil case before October 1, 1988 was dismissed with prejudice or denied damages, or if an appeal was finally denied, the person may file a Program petition. A person with a civil case pending on October 1, 1988 may drop that case without costs and file a petition within 2 years of October 1, 1988 or before judgment, whichever is first. If a civil action was filed after November 15, 1988 for an injury that happened before November 15, 1988, that person may not then file a Program petition. If a civil case resulted in a judgment or settlement awarding damages, the person may not file a petition under the Program. The Clerk of the United States Claims Court may keep receiving and forwarding petitions on and after October 1, 1992. An injured person, the legal representative of a minor or disabled person, or the legal representative of someone who died from a vaccine listed in the Vaccine Injury Table may file a petition if they meet the Program’s rules. There is a limit: no petitions for vaccine injuries or deaths from vaccines given before October 1, 1988 if compensation has already been paid for 3,500 such petitions. Only one petition is allowed for each vaccine administration; a vaccine given to a pregnant woman counts as one administration for the mother and one for each child who was in utero. The petition must include an affidavit and supporting proof showing which vaccine was involved, where and when it was given, and how the injury or death fits the Vaccine Injury Table or was caused by the vaccine. You must give medical records such as prenatal and newborn records, vaccination records, pre- and post-injury doctor records, hospital records, and, if applicable, a death certificate or autopsy. If some records are missing, you must say which ones and why. The special master can set a schedule for tests, evaluations, and any other records needed to decide how much compensation to pay. A woman vaccinated while pregnant and any child who was in utero at that time are both treated as having received the vaccine.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §300aa–11
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)A proceeding for compensation under the Program for a vaccine-related injury or death shall be initiated by service upon the Secretary and the filing of a petition containing the matter prescribed by subsection (c) with the United States Court of Federal Claims. The clerk of the United States Court of Federal Claims shall immediately forward the filed petition to the chief special master for assignment to a special master under section 300aa–12(d)(1) of this title.
(2)(A)No person may bring a civil action for damages in an amount greater than $1,000 or in an unspecified amount against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer in a State or Federal court for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1, 1988, and no such court may award damages in an amount greater than $1,000 in a civil action for damages for such a vaccine-related injury or death, unless a petition has been filed, in accordance with section 300aa–16 of this title, for compensation under the Program for such injury or death and—
(i)(I)the United States Court of Federal Claims has issued a judgment under section 300aa–12 of this title on such petition, and
(II)such person elects under section 300aa–21(a) of this title to file such an action, or
(ii)such person elects to withdraw such petition under section 300aa–21(b) of this title or such petition is considered withdrawn under such section.
(B)If a civil action which is barred under subparagraph (A) is filed in a State or Federal court, the court shall dismiss the action. If a petition is filed under this section with respect to the injury or death for which such civil action was brought, the date such dismissed action was filed shall, for purposes of the limitations of actions prescribed by section 300aa–16 of this title, be considered the date the petition was filed if the petition was filed within one year of the date of the dismissal of the civil action.
(3)No vaccine administrator or manufacturer may be made a party to a civil action (other than a civil action which may be brought under paragraph (2)) for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1, 1988.
(4)If in a civil action brought against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer before October 1, 1988, damages were denied for a vaccine-related injury or death or if such civil action was dismissed with prejudice, the person who brought such action may file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(5)(A)A plaintiff who on October 1, 1988, has pending a civil action for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death may, at any time within 2 years after October 1, 1988, or before judgment, whichever occurs first, petition to have such action dismissed without prejudice or costs and file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(B)If a plaintiff has pending a civil action for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death, such person may not file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(6)If a person brings a civil action after November 15, 1988 for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine before November 15, 1988, such person may not file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(7)If in a civil action brought against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer for a vaccine-related injury or death damages are awarded under a judgment of a court or a settlement of such action, the person who brought such action may not file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(8)If on October 1, 1988, there was pending an appeal or rehearing with respect to a civil action brought against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer and if the outcome of the last appellate review of such action or the last rehearing of such action is the denial of damages for a vaccine-related injury or death, the person who brought such action may file a petition under subsection (b) for such injury or death.
(9)This subsection applies only to a person who has sustained a vaccine-related injury or death and who is qualified to file a petition for compensation under the Program.
(10)The Clerk of the United States Claims Court 11 See Change of Name note below. is authorized to continue to receive, and forward, petitions for compensation for a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine on or after October 1, 1992.
(b)(1)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any person who has sustained a vaccine-related injury, the legal representative of such person if such person is a minor or is disabled, or the legal representative of any person who died as the result of the administration of a vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table may, if the person meets the requirements of subsection (c)(1), file a petition for compensation under the Program.
(B)No person may file a petition for a vaccine-related injury or death associated with a vaccine administered before October 1, 1988, if compensation has been paid under this part for 3500 petitions for such injuries or deaths.
(2)Only one petition may be filed with respect to each administration of a vaccine. A covered vaccine administered to a pregnant woman shall constitute more than one administration, one to the mother and one to each child (as such term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) who was in utero at the time such woman was administered the vaccine.
(c)A petition for compensation under the Program for a vaccine-related injury or death shall contain—
(1)except as provided in paragraph (3), an affidavit, and supporting documentation, demonstrating that the person who suffered such injury or who died—
(A)received a vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table or, if such person did not receive such a vaccine, contracted polio, directly or indirectly, from another person who received an oral polio vaccine,
(B)(i)if such person received a vaccine set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table—
(I)received the vaccine in the United States or in its trust territories,
(II)received the vaccine outside the United States or a trust territory and at the time of the vaccination such person was a citizen of the United States serving abroad as a member of the Armed Forces or otherwise as an employee of the United States or a dependent of such a citizen, or
(III)received the vaccine outside the United States or a trust territory and the vaccine was manufactured by a vaccine manufacturer located in the United States and such person returned to the United States not later than 6 months after the date of the vaccination,
(ii)if such person did not receive such a vaccine but contracted polio from another person who received an oral polio vaccine, was a citizen of the United States or a dependent of such a citizen,
(C)(i)sustained, or had significantly aggravated, any illness, disability, injury, or condition set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table in association with the vaccine referred to in subparagraph (A) or died from the administration of such vaccine, and the first symptom or manifestation of the onset or of the significant aggravation of any such illness, disability, injury, or condition or the death occurred within the time period after vaccine administration set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, or
(ii)(I)sustained, or had significantly aggravated, any illness, disability, injury, or condition not set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table but which was caused by a vaccine referred to in subparagraph (A), or
(II)sustained, or had significantly aggravated, any illness, disability, injury, or condition set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table the first symptom or manifestation of the onset or significant aggravation of which did not occur within the time period set forth in the Table but which was caused by a vaccine referred to in subparagraph (A),
(D)(i)suffered the residual effects or complications of such illness, disability, injury, or condition for more than 6 months after the administration of the vaccine, or (ii) died from the administration of the vaccine, or (iii) suffered such illness, disability, injury, or condition from the vaccine which resulted in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention, and
(E)has not previously collected an award or settlement of a civil action for damages for such vaccine-related injury or death,
(2)except as provided in paragraph (3), maternal prenatal and delivery records, newborn hospital records (including all physicians’ and nurses’ notes and test results), vaccination records associated with the vaccine allegedly causing the injury, pre- and post-injury physician or clinic records (including all relevant growth charts and test results), all post-injury inpatient and outpatient records (including all provider notes, test results, and medication records), if applicable, a death certificate, and if applicable, autopsy results, and
(3)an identification of any records of the type described in paragraph (1) or (2) which are unavailable to the petitioner and the reasons for their unavailability.
(d)A petition may also include other available relevant medical records relating to the person who suffered such injury or who died from the administration of the vaccine.
(e)The petitioner shall submit in accordance with a schedule set by the special master assigned to the petition assessments, evaluations, and prognoses and such other records and documents as are reasonably necessary for the determination of the amount of compensation to be paid to, or on behalf of, the person who suffered such injury or who died from the administration of the vaccine.
(f)(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of this subpart, both a woman who received a covered vaccine while pregnant and any child who was in utero at the time such woman received the vaccine shall be considered persons to whom the covered vaccine was administered and persons who received the covered vaccine.
(2)As used in this subsection, the term “child” shall have the meaning given that term by subsections (a) and (b) of section 8 of title 1 except that, for purposes of this subsection, such section 8 shall be applied as if the term “include” in subsection (a) of such section were replaced with the term “mean”.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification In subsecs. (a)(2)(A), (3), (4), (5)(A), (8), and (b)(1)(B), “October 1, 1988” substituted for “the
Effective Date
of this subpart” on authority of section 323 of Pub. L. 99–660, as amended, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 300aa–1 of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 300aa–11, act
July 1, 1944, § 2112, was successively renumbered by subsequent acts and transferred, see section 238i of this title. A prior section 2111 of act
July 1, 1944, was successively renumbered by subsequent acts and transferred, see section 238h of this title.
Amendments
2016—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–255, § 3093(c)(3), inserted at end “A covered vaccine administered to a pregnant woman shall constitute more than one administration, one to the mother and one to each child (as such term is defined in subsection (f)(2)) who was in utero at the time such woman was administered the vaccine.” Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–255, § 3093(c)(2), added subsec. (f). 2000—Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 106–310 added cl. (iii). 1998—Subsec. (c)(1)(D)(i). Pub. L. 105–277 struck out “and incurred unreimbursable expenses due in whole or in part to such illness, disability, injury, or condition in an amount greater than $1,000” before “, or (ii) died”. 1993—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 103–43 added par. (10). 1992—Subsec. (a)(1), (2)(A)(i)(I). Pub. L. 102–572 substituted “United States Court of Federal Claims” for “United States Claims Court” wherever appearing. 1991—Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i), (ii). Pub. L. 102–168 realigned margins of cls. (i) and (ii). 1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(a)(1), substituted “unless a petition has been filed, in accordance with section 300aa–16 of this title, for compensation under the Program for such injury or death and—” and cls. (i) and (ii) for “unless— “(i) a petition has been filed, in accordance with section 300aa–16 of this title, for compensation under the Program for such injury or death, “(ii) the United States Claims Court has issued a judgment under section 300aa–12 of this title on such petition, and “(iii) such person elects under section 300aa–21(a) of this title to file such an action.” Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(a)(2), struck out “without prejudice” after “without prejudice or costs”. Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(a)(3), substituted “plaintiff” for “plaintiff who”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(a)(4), struck out “(d) except as provided in paragraph (3),” before “(d) Additional information”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(a)(5), substituted “(e) Schedule” for “(e)(e) Schedule”. 1989—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(1), substituted “filing of a petition containing the matter prescribed in subsection (c)” for “filing of a petition” and inserted at end “The clerk of the United States Claims Court shall immediately forward the filed petition to the chief special master for assignment to a special master under section 300aa–12(d)(1) of this title.” Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(2), struck out “under subsection (b) of this section” after “section 300aa–16 of this title,”. Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(3)(A), substituted “petition to have such action dismissed without prejudice or costs” for “elect to withdraw such action”. Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(3)(B), substituted “has pending” for “on
October 1, 1988, had pending” and struck out “does not withdraw the action under subparagraph (A)” after “vaccine-related injury or death”. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(4), substituted “
November 15, 1988” for “the
Effective Date
of this subpart” in two places. Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(5), added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9). Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(5), (7), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and realigned margin. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(A), inserted “except as provided in paragraph (3),” after “(1)” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(A), inserted “except as provided in paragraph (3),” after “(2)”. Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(C), (D), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated subsec. (e). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(B), redesignated former subsec. (c)(2) as subsec. (d), expanded margin to full measure, inserted subsec. designation and heading, substituted “A petition may also include other available” for “all available”, struck out “(including autopsy reports, if any)” after “relevant medical records”, and substituted “administration of the vaccine.” for “administration of the vaccine and an identification of any unavailable records known to the petitioner and the reasons for their unavailability, and”. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6601(c)(6)(D), redesignated former subsec. (c)(3) as subsec. (e), expanded margin to full measure, inserted subsec. designation and heading, and substituted “The petitioner shall submit in accordance with a schedule set by the special master assigned to the petition” for “appropriate”. 1987—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4307(1), which directed that par. (1) be amended by substituting “with the United States Claims Court” for “with the United States district court for the district in which the petitioner resides or the injury or death occurred”, was executed making the substitution for “with the United States district court for the district in which the petitioner resides or in which the injury or death occurred”, as the probable intent of Congress. Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4306, substituted “vaccine administrator or manufacturer” for “vaccine manufacturer”. Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4307(2), substituted “the United States Claims Court” for “a district court of the United States”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4306, substituted “vaccine administrator or manufacturer” for “vaccine manufacturer”. Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4306, substituted “vaccine administrator or manufacturer” for “vaccine manufacturer”. Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(2), substituted “after the
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “after the
Effective Date
of this subchapter”. Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “who on the
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “who on the
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part” in two places. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4306, substituted “vaccine administrator or manufacturer” for “vaccine manufacturer”. Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4304(a), added par. (8). Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4304(b)(1), substituted “may, if the person meets the requirements of subsection (c)(1), file” for “may file”. Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4302(b)(1), substituted “
Effective Date
of this subpart” for “
Effective Date
of this part”. Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4304(b)(2), substituted “for more than 6 months” for “for more than 1 year”, “and incurred” for “, (ii) incurred”, and “(ii)” for “(iii)”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
References to United States Claims Court deemed to refer to United States Court of Federal Claims, see section 902(b) of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date
of 2000 Amendment Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(b), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1151, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] takes effect upon the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 2000], including with respect to petitions under section 2111 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 300aa–11] that are pending on such date.”
Effective Date
of 1992 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 102–572 effective Oct. 29, 1992, see section 911 of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date
of 1991 Amendment Pub. L. 102–168, title II, § 201(i), Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1104, provided that: “(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 300aa–12, 300aa–15, 300aa–16, 300aa–19, and 300aa–21 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 300aa–1 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 26, 1991]. “(2) The
Amendments
made by subsections (d) and (f) [amending section 300aa–12, 300aa–15, 300aa–16, and 300aa–21 of this title] shall take effect as if the
Amendments
had been in effect on and after October 1, 1988.”
Effective Date
of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–502, § 5(h), Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1289, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by subsections (f)(1) and (g) [amending section 300aa–21 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 300aa–1 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 300aa–12 of this title] shall take effect as of November 14, 1986, and the
Amendments
made by subsections (a) through (e) and subsection (f)(2) [amending this section and section 300aa–12, 300aa–13, 300aa–15, 300aa–16, and 300aa–21 of this title] shall take effect as of September 30, 1990.”
Effective Date
of 1989 AmendmentFor applicability of
Amendments
by Pub. L. 101–239 to petitions filed after Dec. 19, 1989, petitions currently pending in which the evidentiary record is closed, and petitions currently pending in which the evidentiary record is not closed, with provision for an immediate suspension for 30 days of all pending cases, see section 6601(s)(1) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 300aa–10 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 300aa–11
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73