AstraZeneca might have to pay up to £255 million in compensation because their Covid vaccine has been found to cause a very rare blood clot side effect, DailyMail reported.
Victims and families seek compensation as AstraZeneca faces lawsuits over allegedly 'defective' Covid vaccine
More than £250 million could be awarded to those who claim they've been harmed by AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine, according to court documents.
According to the DailyMail, 51 cases have been filed in London's High Court. Lawyers representing the victims and their families are suing AstraZeneca under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
They argue that the vaccine was a "defective product" that was "not as safe as consumers generally have a right to expect". The families say AstraZeneca's vaccine caused injuries and even deaths among their loved ones.
AstraZeneca has strongly denied the claims. The pharmaceutical company admitted in a legal document in February that its vaccine can "in very rare cases" lead to a condition known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), also known as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).
TTS can lead to blood clots and low platelet counts, and in some cases has seriously injured or even killed people who received AstraZeneca's vaccine. The possibility of TTS has been noted as a potential side effect since the vaccine was introduced. But AstraZeneca's statement in February was the first time the company admitted it in court, according to The Telegraph.
TTS has been linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK. However, not all of these cases have been conclusively proven, and not every family is pursuing legal action, DailyMail reported.
Father of two seeks compensation after suffering permanent brain damage linked to AstraZeneca vaccine
One person seeking compensation is Jamie Scott, a father of two and IT engineer. After receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2021, he suffered a blood clot and bleeding in his brain, resulting in a permanent brain injury. He hasn't been able to work since.
His wife Kate told The Telegraph: “The medical world has acknowledged for a long time that VITT was caused by the vaccine. It’s only AstraZeneca who have questioned whether Jamie’s condition was caused by the jab.”
AstraZeneca said in a statement: “Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has lost loved ones or reported health problems. Patient safety is our highest priority, and regulatory authorities have clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines.”
