Margaret Haworth v. HHS - Influenza, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (2015)

Margaret Haworth filed a petition on October 15, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that her influenza vaccine, received on October 5, 2011, caused her to develop bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), with residual effects lasting more than six months.

The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged conditions. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on October 13, 2015.

Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision.

The stipulation awarded Margaret Haworth a lump sum of $370,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Petitioner was represented by Ronald C. Homer of Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., and Respondent was represented by Adriana R.

Teitel of the U.S. Department of Justice.