Carolyn Mertz v. HHS - Tdap, optic neuritis (2015)

Carolyn Mertz filed a petition on February 7, 2014, alleging that she suffered from optic neuritis as a result of a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on February 8, 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition.

The parties, represented by counsel Jeffrey S. Pop for the petitioner and Ryan D.

Pyles for the respondent, reached a joint stipulation for damages. On February 18, 2015, they filed a stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation.

Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman adopted the stipulation, awarding Carolyn Mertz a lump sum of $65,000.00 for all damages. Subsequently, on June 3, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys' fees and costs.

The Special Master awarded $36,330.13 in attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Carolyn Mertz and her counsel, Jeffrey S. Pop.

The case was resolved by stipulation, and judgment was entered accordingly.