Lee E. Allen v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (TM) and/or neuromyelitis optica (NMO) (2014)

Petitioner Lee E. Allen filed a petition on September 5, 2014, alleging that he suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) and/or neuromyelitis optica (NMO) caused by an influenza vaccine he received on October 14, 2011.

He further alleged that he experienced residual effects from these conditions for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused the petitioner's alleged injuries.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties reached a stipulation to resolve the matter. Special Master Laura D.

Millman reviewed the stipulation and found its terms to be reasonable. The court adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation.

The award included a lump sum of $400,000.00 payable to the petitioner and an additional $280,000.00 to purchase an annuity contract. Separately, on September 9, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs.

Special Master Millman reviewed this stipulation and awarded $21,250.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable by check jointly to the petitioner and Maglio, Christopher & Toale, P.A. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the medical experts consulted by either party.

The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.