Sharon Thomas v. HHS - Tdap, anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Sharon Thomas filed a petition on October 9, 2014, alleging that the Tdap vaccine she received on October 12, 2011, caused her to suffer an anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness. She further alleged that the residual effects of these injuries lasted for more than six months.
The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied that the vaccine caused her injuries.
The parties, however, reached a joint stipulation regarding compensation. Special Master Christian J.
Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation awarded Sharon Thomas a lump sum payment of $25,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages.
The decision was filed on December 8, 2020. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the injuries, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism of causation.
Petitioner counsel was Scott W. Rooney of Nemes Rooney P.C., and respondent counsel was Darryl R.
Wishard of the United States Department of Justice. The decision is unpublished.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Sharon Thomas alleged that the Tdap vaccine administered on October 12, 2011, caused an anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted as the Court's decision. The stipulation resulted in a $25,000.00 lump sum award for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury, relying instead on the stipulation for resolution. Attorneys involved were Scott W. Rooney for the petitioner and Darryl R. Wishard for the respondent. The decision date was December 8, 2020.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00966