German court revives damages lawsuit against BioNTech over Covid-19 vaccine claims
A German appellate court has ordered the reopening of a damages lawsuit against BioNTech. The decision, announced on 21 April 2026, reverses an earlier dismissal by a lower court. The plaintiff claims his health issues stem from receiving two doses of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine in 2021 and 2022. The Higher Regional Court of Hamm ruled that the case must be re-examined under a less restrictive evidentiary standard. It found that a plausible suspicion of vaccine-related harm is sufficient to require BioNTech to disclose information about potential risks. The plaintiff, who received his first jab in July 2021 and a second in March 2022, is seeking €150,000 in damages.
The court’s decision does not imply BioNTech is liable for the alleged harm. However, it allows the plaintiff to pursue further evidence before a final ruling. Legal observers note that this ruling could influence other similar cases currently pending in Germany.
The case will now return to a lower court for a fresh review. The plaintiff’s claim centres on whether the vaccine caused his health problems, with BioNTech required to provide relevant product data. The outcome may set a precedent for how future vaccine-related lawsuits are handled in German courts.
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