Lacole Willis v. HHS - Influenza, dysautonomia, central sensitization syndrome (2015)

Lacole Willis filed a petition on September 24, 2013, alleging that a trivalent influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 18, 2012, caused her to develop dysautonomia, central sensitization syndrome, and other injuries. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's conditions.

The parties subsequently agreed to a joint stipulation filed on March 4, 2015, to settle the case. Special Master Christian J.

Moran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $85,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Additionally, a lump sum of $26,500.00 was awarded for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to petitioner and her attorney, Andrew D. Downing of Van Cott & Talamante.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.