Cathy A. Liva v. HHS - Tdap, psoriatic arthritis (2014)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Petitioner Cathy A. Liva filed a petition on June 2, 2014, alleging that she suffered from psoriatic arthritis as a result of receiving a Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on October 26, 2010.
Petitioner further alleged that she experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months. Respondent denied that the Tdap vaccination caused petitioner's psoriatic arthritis or any other injury.
The parties reached a stipulation to settle the case, which Special Master Laura D. Millman found to be reasonable.
The court adopted the stipulation and awarded Cathy A. Liva $225,000.00 for damages.
Additionally, the court awarded $15,911.12 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Ms. Liva and her attorney, Dennis W.
Potts. The total award amounted to $240,911.12.
The decision was issued on June 2, 2014. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, or treatments.
Petitioner was represented by Dennis W. Potts, and respondent was represented by Alexis B.
Babcock.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Cathy A. Liva alleged that a Tdap vaccine administered on October 26, 2010, caused her to develop psoriatic arthritis and suffer residual effects for over six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case. The public decision does not detail the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or evidence presented regarding causation. Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the parties' stipulation, awarding $225,000.00 for damages and $15,911.12 for attorneys' fees and costs, for a total of $240,911.12. The decision date was June 2, 2014. Petitioner's counsel was Dennis W. Potts, and respondent's counsel was Alexis B. Babcock.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00820