Douglas Rettman v. HHS - Influenza, encephalopathy (2016)

Douglas Rettman filed a petition on July 21, 2014, alleging that he developed encephalopathy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 13, 2012. He claimed to have suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Rettman's encephalopathy or any other injury.

Despite this denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for damages. The court reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable.

As a result, the court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Mr. Rettman compensation.

The award included a lump sum of $275,556.00, intended to cover all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This amount was to be paid directly to Mr.

Rettman. The decision was entered on September 27, 2016, based on the joint stipulation.