Supreme Court Rules Against Mt. Lebo Family's Vaccine Lawsuit

WASHINGTON (KDKA) – A Mt. Lebanon family who sued a drug maker over their daughter's neurological problems lost their battle before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Robalee and Russell Bruesewitz say their daughter, Hannah, was a healthy infant until she received the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine.

They say, within hours, she suffered a series of debilitating seizures and for the past 18 years has required constant care.

A special vaccine court rejected the family's claims for compensation that led to the lawsuit.

By a 6-2 vote, the high court sided with the vaccine court system and the federal law that bars lawsuits against drug makers over serious side effects from childhood vaccines.

Without it, the justices say drug manufacturers could be inundated with lawsuits from parents and driven out of the vaccine market.