Mariah Van Vessem v. HHS - HPV, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (2017)

Mariah Van Vessem filed a petition on March 2, 2011, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that the human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), and/or meningococcal vaccines administered on March 4, 2008, and a second HPV vaccine administered on August 4, 2008, caused her to develop Hodgkin's Lymphoma, with residual effects lasting more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the petitioner's condition was caused by the vaccinations. On October 26, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation to resolve the case.

Special Master Herbrina Sanders reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner was represented by Mark Sadaka of Mark T.

Sadaka, LLC, and respondent was represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice.