Britain’s compensation bill for victims killed or maimed by AstraZeneca’s Covid jab could theoretically exceed $1billion, MailOnline can reveal.
Around 90 families, who allege they were harmed by the jab, are currently pursuing legal action against the pharmaceutical titan, claiming the vaccine was essentially a defective product.
Lawyers representing the claimants believe that some of the cases could be worth up to £20m in compensation, which is roughly 160 times more than the £120,000 Government support available. They hope to be able to prove that the vaccine was to blame in court.
Bereaved families eligible for the sum have also hit out at how long it takes for them to be given the cash, despite having all the necessary paperwork. Some have faced 18-month waits for a decision.
AstraZeneca’s jab was approved by UK regulators at the close of 2020, in a spark of hope as the nation endured a Christmas in lockdown.
In the months that followed, millions rolled up their sleeves to get the vaccine.
Many were struck down by vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), which can cause deadly blood clots.
Others developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own nerves. This can, in extreme cases, cause paralysis.
Around 90 individuals and families who claim to have been affected by the jab’s rare side effects are taking action against AstraZeneca under the Consumer Protection Act, although more may join in the coming months as further cases come to light.
Lawyers representing the group are arguing that the jab, given as two doses spread up to 12 weeks apart, was essentially ‘defective’, in the sense that it was not as safe as people taking it were entitled to expect.