Rita Martin v. HHS - Tdap, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (2016)

Rita Martin filed a petition alleging that the Tdap vaccine administered on December 14, 2011, caused her to suffer from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Ms.

Martin claimed her symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations began within three weeks of vaccination. However, the court found that medical records from March and April 2012, which were contemporaneous to her doctor's visits, indicated that her symptoms of palpitations, lightheadedness, and dizziness began around that time, not shortly after vaccination.

The court noted that Ms. Martin sought medical attention for an ankle bite in January 2012 and did not complain of these symptoms then, further supporting the later onset.

Employment records also suggested she was relatively healthy and able to work in early 2012. The court concluded that Ms.

Martin's symptoms, more likely than not, began in March and April 2012, and that her co-workers' testimony did not overcome the presumption of accuracy for the contemporaneous medical records. The case proceeded with these findings of fact regarding symptom onset.