Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuit
Get Compensation for Injuries and Side Effects
If you or a loved one experienced severe side effects after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine, you’re not alone. Thousands of individuals nationwide have reported lasting complications linked to Gardasil injections. At Ankin Law, our Chicago vaccine injury lawyers help victims recover financial compensation through Gardasil HPV vaccine lawsuits.
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Table of Contents
Quick Answers: Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuits
What Is the Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuit About?
The Gardasil HPV vaccine lawsuits involve claims from hundreds of individuals who allege they suffered serious injuries after receiving Merck’s HPV vaccine. Plaintiffs claim that Merck misrepresented the vaccine’s safety profile and failed to adequately warn about the risks.
Who Can File a Gardasil lawsuit?
Individuals who developed autoimmune or neurological conditions after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine may be eligible to file a claim. This typically includes those diagnosed with conditions like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, chronic pain syndromes, or neurological problems linked to the vaccine.
How Do I File a Vaccine Injury Claim?
To file a vaccine injury claim related to Gardasil, your attorney will file a civil lawsuit directly against the vaccine’s manufacturer, Merck & Co. Unlike most vaccines, Gardasil is not covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). These cases are handled through federal multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3036) and individual state claims.
What Compensation Is Available?
Recoverable damages may include medical bills, future treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and, in some cases, punitive damages against the manufacturer.
Understanding the Gardasil HPV Vaccine
The Gardasil vaccine was developed to protect against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus associated with cervical and other cancers. While generally effective for many recipients, Gardasil has been linked to serious health complications in some individuals.
Reported Injuries and Conditions
Individuals who have filed Gardasil lawsuits report a range of serious health conditions that developed after vaccination, including:
A condition affecting blood flow and heart rate when standing, causing dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, and chronic fatigue
Premature ovarian failure leading to irregular periods, infertility, and early menopause symptoms
Including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions where the immune system attacks healthy tissue
Such as peripheral neuropathy, seizures, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
Persistent pain conditions and difficulty with movement or coordination
Many individuals who developed these conditions were previously healthy before receiving the Gardasil vaccine. The onset of symptoms often occurred within days, weeks, or months following vaccination.
Center:
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
What You Need to Know About Gardasil HPV Vaccine Lawsuits
As of 2025, more than 200 lawsuits have been consolidated into MDL No. 3036, formally known as In re: Gardasil Products Liability Litigation, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte Division).
This federal court was selected by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to coordinate all pretrial proceedings for Gardasil injury cases filed nationwide.
The consolidation into an MDL allows for efficient handling of common legal and factual issues, such as discovery, expert testimony, and pretrial motions. However, each plaintiff maintains their individual claim with unique facts and damages.
Can Illinois Residents File Gardasil Lawsuits?
Although the MDL is based in North Carolina, injured individuals in Illinois and other states can still file their own Gardasil claims. Eligible cases may be transferred into the MDL for pretrial coordination or proceed separately in state court, depending on venue and jurisdiction.
Illinois residents who believe they were injured by the Gardasil vaccine should act quickly to protect their legal rights. The statute of limitations in Illinois generally provides two years from the date of injury or discovery to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation.
Legal Challenges in Gardasil Cases
Several failure-to-warn claims have been dismissed under federal preemption rulings. These rulings found that federal law prevented Merck from adding certain warnings without FDA approval, which preempts state law failure-to-warn claims. However, other allegations are moving forward, including:
- Design defect claims – Arguing the vaccine was unreasonably dangerous in its design or formulation
- Negligence – Alleging Merck failed to conduct adequate safety testing or monitoring
- Fraud and misrepresentation – Claiming Merck manipulated clinical trial data or concealed known risks
These surviving claims continue through discovery and expert review, with bellwether trials expected to help establish the trajectory of the litigation.
Why Gardasil Is Not Covered by the VICP
Most vaccines administered in the United States are covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), a no-fault federal program that compensates vaccine injury claims without requiring litigation against manufacturers. However, Gardasil is notably absent from the VICP’s Vaccine Injury Table.
This means individuals injured by Gardasil cannot pursue compensation through the VICP and must instead file civil lawsuits directly against Merck in either federal or state court. This creates a different legal landscape with different procedural requirements, burdens of proof, and potential damages compared to VICP claims.
Why Choose Ankin Law for Your Gardasil Lawsuit?
Pursuing a Gardasil vaccine injury lawsuit requires experienced legal representation and the resources to stand up to one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. At Ankin Law, our Chicago law firm has handled complex pharmaceutical litigation for decades. We are committed to holding Merck accountable and helping injured individuals secure maximum compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Experienced Vaccine Injury Representation
At Ankin Law, our mass tort attorneys have decades of experience representing injured individuals in complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. We understand the unique challenges of vaccine injury cases and have the resources to take on major pharmaceutical companies like Merck.
Our legal team stays current on the latest developments in Gardasil litigation, including court rulings, scientific research, and emerging evidence about vaccine-related injuries. This knowledge allows us to build the strongest possible case for our clients.
Personalized Attention to Your Case
We recognize that your experience, medical history, and damages are individual to you. Our attorneys take time to understand your specific situation, gather comprehensive medical evidence, and develop a legal strategy tailored to your circumstances.
Throughout the legal process, we maintain open communication with our clients, keeping you informed about case developments and answering your questions promptly.
No Fees Unless We Win
Ankin Law handles Gardasil vaccine injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. We advance all case expenses, including expert witness fees, medical record retrieval, and court costs.
This arrangement ensures that everyone who suffered a Gardasil injury has access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What Happens When You Contact Ankin Law
When you contact Ankin Law about filing a Gardasil lawsuit, your attorney will:
- Evaluate whether your claim qualifies under current Gardasil litigation criteria.
- Gather medical and scientific evidence to support your case.
- File your claim in the appropriate court.
- Negotiate or litigate for full compensation.
Your attorney will advise whether joining the MDL or pursuing an individual Illinois case offers the strongest path to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardasil Lawsuits
How Long Do I Have to File a Gardasil Lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury. Because symptoms may not appear immediately after vaccination, the discovery rule can extend this deadline. However, waiting too long can jeopardize your claim, so it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Do I Need to Prove the Vaccine Caused My Injury?
Yes, you must establish a causal connection between the Gardasil vaccine and your injury. This typically requires medical records, expert testimony, and scientific evidence showing the vaccine can cause your specific condition. Our attorneys work with qualified medical experts who can evaluate your case and provide testimony supporting causation.
What If I Signed a Consent Form Before Vaccination?
Signing a consent form does not automatically waive your right to sue if you were injured by Gardasil. If Merck failed to adequately warn about risks, misrepresented safety data, or the vaccine had design defects, you may still have a valid product liability claim regardless of any consent forms you signed.
Can Parents File Lawsuits for Injured Children?
Yes, parents or legal guardians can file Gardasil lawsuits on behalf of minor children who were injured by the vaccine. In fact, many Gardasil cases involve young people who received the vaccine during adolescence as recommended by the CDC.
Take Action to Protect Your Rights
If you or your child experienced serious health problems after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine, don’t wait to seek legal advice.
Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 to schedule your free consultation.