J.S. v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2019)

On September 15, 2014, J.S. filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 23, 2011 caused transverse myelitis. She was 41 years old.

Her medical history included hypertension, kidney stones, anxiety, and depression, and the record also noted leg symptoms before vaccination after surgical procedures, which became part of respondent's causation defense. Within days after vaccination, J.S. reported worsening bilateral leg pain, numbness, and trouble walking.

By September 30, 2011, physicians were considering Guillain-Barre syndrome, central nervous system disease, and acute polyneuropathy. On October 2, her presentation was suspected to be transverse myelitis, and repeat MRI imaging on October 5 supported acute idiopathic transverse myelitis.

The clinical record described abrupt neurologic decline with lower-extremity symptoms, difficulty ambulating, and an inflammatory spinal cord process. Petitioner relied on neurologist Dr.

Norman Latov of Weill Cornell, who advanced an immune-mediated theory involving molecular mimicry and bystander activation. Respondent disputed the relationship between the vaccine and the neurologic illness and pointed to pre-vaccination neurologic complaints and alternative explanations.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on April 9, 2018.

A later damages proffer and decision awarded $902,401.49 in lump-sum compensation, including pain and suffering, past unreimbursed expenses, life-care needs, lost earnings, and annuity-funded future care.