VACCINE COMPENSATION LAW: WHAT IS THE PREVNAR VACCINE AND DOES IT PREVENT EAR INFECTIONS?

Recently, I heard a story of a parent who delayed her child’s vaccinations, including the Prevnar vaccine, because their child was suffering from the side effects of the flu and/or cold. Before they were able to make it to the rescheduled appointment, their child then came down with an ear infection. This concerned parent took their child to the doctor where they were scolded and in fact blamed for the child’s ear infection. The doctor claimed that had they gone ahead with the Prevnar vaccine, the ear infection would not have happened. The direct implication was that Prevnar prevents ear infections and this parent was neglectful. Having represented injured children and their families from the side effects of vaccines for almost all of my 28 years of practice I was curious. I had never heard that Prevnar prevented ear infections. Also, as a father of four, now adult children, I recall that all of my children were vaccinated, yet all had constant ear infections. Upon some research I quickly discovered that, although there may be claims that Prevnar can prevent ear infections, it is not supported by the medical literature and, at least as far as I know, is not listed as one of the benefits or purposes of Prevnar that comes with the Prevnar vaccine. Some of the information I found indicated that Prevnar helps something like 7% of less in preventing ear infections. Generally, Prevnar is given to prevent pneumococcal infections in young children. Pneumococcal infections are bacterial infections causing pneumonia and meningitis. Again, certain pediatricians may claim that it can prevent ear infections but studies can be interpreted in different ways by different individuals. The point of this article is not whether Prevnar prevents ear infections but as to point out that there are many doctors who claim that vaccines should be given as scheduled, regardless of the health of the child at the time and stand for the proposition that all children should be vaccinated. The decision to vaccinate your child is an individual decision. It is inappropriate for a doctor to make such claims and to make a parent feel guilty for making a reasonable decision to delay vaccines because it was their opinion that their child was not healthy enough to have a bacteria injected into their child. There are doctors who better understand both the benefits and risks of vaccines as well as the issues that parents must address in making these difficult decisions. It is not “black and white” as to whether all children at specific times should be vaccinated. Again, the decision is yours. Please research the issues, ask questions and make informed decisions. Do not let doctors intimidate you in to doing something that you, as a concerned parent, do not feel comfortable doing. You know your child better than any doctor. Get the information and make the right choices without guilt. To say this child’s ear infection would not have occurred had they received the Prevnar vaccine is pure speculation. What is not speculation is that some children suffer severe adverse reactions from Prevnar and other childhood vaccines. Some of the more minor side effects are mild redness and swelling near the site of the shot, weakness, crying or fussiness, low fever or drowsiness. In rare circumstances more serious side effects such as a high fever (103 or more), seizure or convulsions, wheezing or trouble breathing or severe pain, itching and irritation with skin changes near the site of the shot. In those situations, you and/or your child may be entitled to compensation through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The Program is designed to compensate children and their parents from the rare but unfortunate side effects from these vaccines. Only specific attorneys can represent you in these cases and your fees and costs are all paid for by the Program so there is no financial risk for you in retaining an attorney regardless of where you and/or the attorney of your choice works. For more information on the Vaccine Injury Program and whether your child has a claim for side effects from the Prevnar vaccine or other childhood vaccinations please call me, Attorney Mark Krueger, nationwide at (866) 455-2993 for a no cost, no obligation consultation. At Krueger & Hernandez SC, we listen, we care, we get results and that includes you and your child’s vaccine injury claim.

Summer is ending and fall brings…

What is the Prevnar Vaccine and Does it Prevent Ear Infections? ………….Page 1

KH SBW’s……………………....….Page 2

Why EVERYONE Needs an Estate Plan…………………………...…….Page 2

Welcome to the Team!.…………. .Page 3

Take Action Today to Leave a Lasting Legacy………………………...…….Page 3

KH LAW News Bringing You Our Best

September 2013

Krueger & Hernandez, where children matter most.

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Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

Estate Planning. To many people, it sounds complicated and foreign, something only the wealthy or the elderly need to

worry about. It is often not at the top of the priority list for single people or for young couples. Even parents with young

children, who know they should at least have a Will, tend to think of estate planning as somehow beyond their reach.

In truth, regardless of your age, your situation in life, or your level of wealth, estate planning accomplishes certain universal

goals.

Planning for Illness

What would happen to you or your family if you became very ill – or even if you suffered a debilitating injury – and you

couldn’t make your own financial or medical decisions? If you are married, you might assume that your spouse would

automatically have the right to step into your shoes and make these decisions for you. However, this is not necessarily the

case. If you have accounts on which your spouse is not a joint or authorized user, he or she would likely hit a brick wall when

trying to communicate with your financial institutions. The same problems can arise when it comes to talking to doctors or

accessing your medical records. If you are not married, your friends or family members would face similar difficulties.

Without the right plan in place, financial and medical institutions require a court order before they will communicate with

anyone attempting to make decisions on your behalf. This puts your loved ones in the position of hiring a lawyer and spending

time and money in court during an already stressful time in their lives and yours, simply so that they can handle your daily

affairs. Add in relatives who disagree over how your affairs should be managed and the trouble compounds.

Whether you are married or single, regardless of your age, you should have a General Durable Power of Attorney, a Health

Care Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA authorization.

A General Durable Power of Attorney allows you to name someone to manage your financial affairs in case of your

disability. A Health Care Power of Attorney lets you name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, and a HIPAA

authorization lets you direct your physicians and medical facilities to release medical information to certain, specified

individuals. These documents work together to keep the details of life running as smoothly as possible for you and your family,

without the need for a court order.

Planning for Death

Nobody likes to think about death, but it can happen at any time. If you have not created a plan, the family you leave

behind will have to pick up the pieces. The most basic way to plan for death is to create a Will. You use your Will to leave

instructions for who gets which of your assets and when, as well as to name a guardian for your minor children.

A Revocable Trust goes a step further, allowing you to distribute your assets while avoiding the time and expense of the pro-

bate process. An additional advantage of a Revocable Trust is that, since it is not subject to probate, the terms of your Trust

remain private. This is not true of a Will, which is filed in court during probate and becomes a matter of public record.

Estate planning does not have to be complicated, and it is certainly not only for the wealthy or the elderly. Planning your

estate is a matter of putting together a few elements that will protect you and your family in case the unexpected happens.

This article by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA) was brought to you by Krueger & Hernandez SC.

Attorney Michelle T.L. Hernandez is an active members of the AAEPA and has extensive legal experience in the area of estate planning.

An estate plan will preserve your legacy of not only your material possessions but more importantly your loved ones and their

relationship with one another. To schedule your free consultation today, simply call (800) 431-9776.

Help us – Help Our Neighbors!

This Month’s Small Businesses of the Week!

www.KH-LAW.net

Visit us online for SBW special offers and discounts!

Week 1– The Grainery Week 2– Therapy Space, LLC

Week 3– McDonough Piano & Vocal Studio Week 4– ER Bodywork

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Welcome New KH Team Member!

We are pleased to announce that Ashley Tillery has joined the KH Team! Ashley

obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and her

Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University.

She has been working in the legal field since 2009 and believes in cooperative

conflict resolution and the power of relationships. Ashley will be working

primarily out of the Middleton Office and is looking forward to assisting both our

clients and attorneys.

We are happy to have you on the team Ashley!

www.KH-LAW.net

Come to one of our FREE Family Wealth Trust seminars to learn the best strategy for your estate , find out how to establish a Family Wealth Trust, Tax Law Changes, why EVERYONE needs an Estate

Plan and much more!

Register TODAY by calling us at (608) 824-9540, visit us online or scan this:

LIKE US! READ US! TWEET US! JOIN US! CONNECT US! WATCH US!

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The Entire KH Team Wishes You a Relaxing and Safe Labor Day Weekend!

Mark L. Krueger Michelle T.L. Hernandez

David S. Kowalski Matthew K. McCasland Stephanie A. Schmitt Renee Nehring

Stacie Ray Shelley Craker Christan Mellum Tricia Klitzke Ashley Tillery

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Take Action TODAY to Leave a Lasting Legacy... If you do not have a Living Trust already in place, you and your loved ones can not afford to miss this special event!

If you already have a Living Trust, then you realize the importance of addressing this issue.

Now is the time to help your loved ones do the same!

Attend one of these seminars and you’ll receive a FREE private consultation to answer any

questions you have about protecting your personal estate ($200 value).

MIDDLETON

Tuesday, September 17

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

One Financial Place

8215 Greenway Blvd.

(Refreshments)

MIDDLETON

Wednesday, September 18

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

One Financial Place

8215 Greenway Blvd.

(Refreshments)

Disclaimer The information provided in this newsletter is not intended to serve as specific legal advice. Viewing this information does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.