Thomas Watlington v. HHS - Tdap, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, spinal cord inflammation, and/or transverse myelitis (2017)

Thomas Watlington filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 2, 2014. He alleged that he developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), spinal cord inflammation, and/or transverse myelitis after receiving a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on October 31, 2011.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the immunization caused Mr. Watlington's alleged injuries.

The parties, however, reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. As part of the stipulation, the respondent agreed to issue a lump sum payment of $140,000.00, payable to Thomas Watlington, representing compensation for all damages available under the program.

Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation accordingly, directing the clerk of the court to enter judgment. The decision was filed on August 11, 2017.

The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The theory of causation is not detailed in the public decision.