Trials of Coronavirus vaccine makers begin in Germany

German courts on Monday prepare to hear two civil cases against the manufacturers of Coronavirus vaccines for allegedly damaging the health condition of some persons.

In one of the cases, the Regional Court in Rottweil in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg is scheduled to hear the lawsuit brought by a 58-year-old man for damage to his health, which he attributes to a Coronavirus vaccine from German firm BioNTech.

The man accused the pharmaceutical company of being responsible for his suffering from a massive deterioration in the vision in his right eye as a result of the vaccination.

He is demanding 150,000 euros ($163,600) in compensation for his suffering.

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In addition, the court is to determine if BioNTech is obliged to compensate for possible material damages.

The Mainz-based company considers the man’s accusation to be unfounded.

“We have carefully examined the health impairments presented by the plaintiff on the basis of all the information provided,” said a spokeswoman for the company.

A decision of the court is not expected on Monday.

Meanwhile, an appeal hearing in a case against AstraZeneca is also starting at the same time at the Higher Regional Court in Bamberg in Bavaria.

A regional court dismissed a woman’s lawsuit against the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company six months ago. The plaintiff however appealed against the ruling.

The woman had sued the company for damages after severe health complaints, which she attributed to a Coronavirus vaccination, but the lawsuit was dismissed because the first court could find neither a product defect nor an information error.

It is unclear whether a judgment will be handed down on Monday. The parties may however reach a settlement.

The two civil cases are among the first against Coronavirus vaccine manufacturers in Germany. (dpa/NAN)