If you experienced a serious injury following a COVID-19 vaccination but missed the deadline to file for compensation, a new development could potentially give you another opportunity to pursue your claim.
The federal government is moving toward establishing a COVID-19 Countermeasures Injury Table, which could change how certain vaccine injury claims are evaluated and potentially extend filing deadlines for qualifying individuals.
For people who received COVID-19 vaccines as far back as 2020, this development raises an important question: Could previously expired filing deadlines be reopened?
What Is the CICP, and How Does It Work?
The federal Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, or CICP, is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It provides limited financial compensation to qualifying individuals who experience serious injuries or death because of certain covered medical countermeasures, including vaccines administered against COVID-19.
Unlike traditional personal injury lawsuits, the CICP does not award compensation for pain and suffering.
Instead, eligible claimants may receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to a covered injury that are not otherwise reimbursed.
- Lost employment income resulting from the injury, subject to program limits.
- - Certain death benefits available to qualifying surviving family members.
The program also has strict filing requirements. Generally, individuals must submit a claim no later than one year after receiving the vaccine or other covered countermeasure they believe caused their injury.
A Proposed COVID-19 Injury Table Could Change Filing Deadlines
One of the most significant developments involves the federal government's plans to establish a COVID-19 Countermeasures Injury Table.
An injury table identifies specific medical conditions that, when they occur within designated periods following a covered countermeasure, are legally presumed to have been caused by that countermeasure for purposes of the compensation program.
This could make it easier for certain claimants to establish eligibility without independently proving every element of medical causation.
As of October 2026, the federal government has not yet established a COVID-19 Countermeasures Injury Table. HHS currently lists a proposed rule for November 2026, with a public comment period expected to conclude in January 2027.
Could the New Table Reopen Expired Claims?
Under existing CICP rules, establishing or amending an injury table can provide an alternative one-year filing period for certain individuals who become eligible to establish a Table injury under the revised framework.
This means that someone whose original filing period has already passed could potentially have another opportunity to submit a claim if their injury qualifies under the new table.
However, the new deadline would not automatically apply to everyone who received a COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility would depend on which injuries are included in the final table, the applicable onset periods, and the program's filing requirements.
What Should You Do if You Believe You Suffered a COVID-19 Vaccine Injury?
If you experienced a serious medical condition that you believe resulted from a COVID-19 vaccination, consider preserving your vaccination records, medical history, diagnostic test results, and documentation of related expenses or lost income.
Even if your original one-year filing deadline has expired, an attorney familiar with the CICP can help you understand whether future changes to the program could affect your eligibility.
Do not assume that a proposed extension is already in effect or delay an otherwise timely claim while waiting for the new table.
Speak With a Vaccine Injury Attorney
Changes to federal vaccine injury compensation rules could create new filing opportunities for certain individuals whose original CICP filing deadlines have passed.
At Sadaka Law's Vaccine Injury Help Center, we help individuals and families understand the legal process surrounding vaccine injury claims, including the CICP and its filing requirements.
If you believe you suffered a serious injury following a COVID-19 vaccination, contact the Vaccine Injury Help Center to discuss your circumstances and learn about your potential options.
Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informational purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact the Vaccine Injury Help Center directly.