Wendy Williams v. HHS - Hepatitis A, multiple sclerosis (2025)

Wendy Williams filed a petition on July 12, 2013, alleging that a Twinrix (hepatitis A/B) vaccination she received on February 16, 2011 caused her to develop multiple sclerosis (MS). She later amended her petition to argue that, in the alternative, the vaccination significantly aggravated her previously asymptomatic MS.

Petitioner proceeded pro se throughout the litigation. Following an entitlement hearing held in February 2021, Special Master Roth issued a Ruling on Entitlement on June 30, 2023, finding that petitioner had presented preponderant evidence that the hepatitis A/B vaccination significantly aggravated her then-asymptomatic MS and that she was entitled to compensation.

Petitioner filed a premature motion for review before damages were quantified, which the Court of Federal Claims dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in October 2023. The matter then proceeded to damages.

A Ruling on Damages issued on August 14, 2024, and Special Master Roth issued her final Decision on Damages on November 7, 2024 (reissued December 23, 2024 after petitioner's name was redacted to "Jane Doe"). Petitioner received a lump sum of $1,574,676.59, representing compensation for first-year life care expenses ($57,656.32), lost earnings ($1,267,020.27), and pain and suffering ($250,000.00), plus an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future life care expenses.

Petitioner subsequently filed an untimely motion for review, which the Court of Federal Claims dismissed in February 2025.