H.J. v. HHS - Tdap, rheumatoid arthritis (2017)

H.J. filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine received on October 10, 2008, caused her to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The case proceeded as an off-Table claim, requiring H.J. to prove causation under the Althen standard.

Petitioner presented medical records and expert testimony from Dr. Paul Utz, who opined that the Tdap vaccine could trigger RA in individuals with preclinical RA and underlying autoimmune conditions, such as H.J.'s pre-existing systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Respondent's expert, Dr. Lianne Gensler, argued that H.J.'s RA symptoms predated the vaccination and that the vaccine was not a cause.

The Special Master found that H.J. established a medical theory connecting the vaccine to RA (Althen Prong One), a logical sequence of cause and effect showing the vaccine was the reason for her injury (Althen Prong Two), and a proximate temporal relationship between the vaccination and the onset of RA symptoms, which occurred between six and fourteen days after the vaccine (Althen Prong Three). The Special Master ruled that H.J. was entitled to compensation.

Subsequently, the parties reached an agreement on damages. On February 27, 2017, the court awarded H.J. a lump sum of $1,360,063.00 and an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity.