Melissa Walter v. HHS - Influenza, small fiber neuropathy (2015)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Melissa Walter filed a petition alleging that she suffered small fiber neuropathy caused by an influenza vaccine she received on November 1, 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition.
Despite the denial, the parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case. Special Master Laura D.
Millman adopted the stipulation and awarded Melissa Walter $25,000.00 in compensation for all damages, payable as a check to the petitioner. This award was based on a stipulation filed on November 2, 2015.
Subsequently, on November 18, 2015, the parties filed a separate stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs. Special Master Millman awarded $19,300.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Melissa Walter and her attorneys, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA.
The case was resolved through these stipulations, resulting in compensation for the petitioner.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Melissa Walter alleged that she suffered small fiber neuropathy caused by her November 1, 2011 receipt of an influenza vaccine. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The case was resolved via stipulation, with an award of $25,000.00 for damages and $19,300.00 for attorneys' fees and costs. The decision date for damages was November 2, 2015, and for fees was November 18, 2015. Petitioner was represented by Diana S. Sedar, and respondent was represented by Michael P. Milmoe.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00751