Renee Leetta Hunter v. HHS - Tdap, brachial neuritis (2016)

Filed 2014-10-22Decided 2016-10-05Vaccine Tdap
compensated$65,000

Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]

Renee Leetta Hunter filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 22, 2014. She alleged that she suffered brachial neuritis as a result of her Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination on May 29, 2012.

Ms. Hunter further alleged that she experienced residual effects from the injury for more than six months and that no prior award or settlement had been made for her condition.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused Ms. Hunter's brachial neuritis or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite the respondent's denial, on July 22, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

Ms. Hunter was awarded $65,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages.

The decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the injury, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner was represented by Ryan Patrick Richie of Wilson and Parlett, and respondent was represented by Michael Patrick Milmoe of the U.S.

Department of Justice.

Theory of causation

Petitioner Renee Leetta Hunter alleged that her Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination on May 29, 2012, caused brachial neuritis, with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was approved by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was awarded $65,000.00 in a lump sum. The decision date was October 5, 2016, with the petition filed on October 22, 2014. Attorneys involved were Ryan Patrick Richie for the petitioner and Michael Patrick Milmoe for the respondent.

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