Wendy Ward v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's palsy (2017)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Petitioner Wendy Ward filed a claim on January 5, 2017, alleging that she developed Bell's palsy as a result of receiving a trivalent influenza vaccine on or about January 15, 2013. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition.
The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case. Special Master Laura D.
Millman adopted the stipulation and awarded Wendy Ward $120,000.00 in compensation for all damages. The decision was issued on January 5, 2017.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner counsel was Lawrence R.
Cohan, and respondent counsel was Michael P. Milmoe.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Wendy Ward alleged that a trivalent influenza vaccine administered on or about January 15, 2013, caused her to develop Bell's palsy. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and Special Master Laura D. Millman awarded $120,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. The award was a lump sum for all damages.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00962