Melvin Craig v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2018)

On December 30, 2015, Melvin Craig filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he developed transverse myelitis (TM) and subsequently died as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2014. Sandra Craig later appeared as the personal representative of Mr.

Craig's estate after his death. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr.

Craig's TM or death. However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on November 20, 2018, while maintaining their respective positions.

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

The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $300,000.00, payable to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details of the transverse myelitis, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury.

The names of petitioner counsel were Franklin John Caldwell, Jr., and respondent counsel was Robert P. Coleman.

The decision was issued on December 26, 2018.