Bonita Reeves v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2019)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Bonita Reeves filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 29, 2015. She alleged that she suffered transverse myelitis, which was either caused or significantly aggravated by her receipt of an influenza vaccine on September 24, 2014.
Ms. Reeves further alleged that she experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated her alleged transverse myelitis. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on June 25, 2019.
Special Master Daniel T. Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.
Pursuant to the stipulation, Bonita Reeves was awarded compensation consisting of an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract and a lump sum of $175,593.00, representing all remaining compensation for damages available under the program. The decision directed the clerk of the court to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.
Clifford John Shoemaker represented the petitioner, and Ryan Daniel Pyles represented the respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Bonita Reeves alleged that her transverse myelitis was caused or significantly aggravated by the influenza vaccine she received on September 24, 2014, and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. The stipulation resulted in an award of $175,593.00 in a lump sum, plus an amount to purchase an annuity contract. The public decision does not detail the specific medical or scientific theories of causation, expert testimony, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused or aggravated the condition. Petitioner's counsel was Clifford John Shoemaker, and respondent's counsel was Ryan Daniel Pyles. The decision was issued on July 22, 2019.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01284