VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01590
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01590
Petitioner: Melvin Craig
Filed: 2015-12-30
Decided: 2018-12-26
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2014-10-17
Condition: transverse myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 300000

AI-assisted case summary:
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.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner alleged that Melvin Craig developed transverse myelitis (TM) and subsequently died as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2014. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to settle the case, with the Special Master adopting the stipulation as the decision. The stipulation awarded $300,000.00 for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. The decision was issued by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on December 26, 2018, based on a stipulation filed November 20, 2018. Petitioner counsel was Franklin John Caldwell, Jr., and respondent counsel was Robert P. Coleman.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01590-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-12-26
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/20/2018) Regarding 46 DECISION - Stipulation (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:15-vv-01590-UNJ Document 53 Filed 12/26/18 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1590V
(not to be published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SANDRA CRAIG, as Personal *
Representative of The Estate of MELVIN *
CRAIG, *
* Special Master Corcoran
*
Petitioner, * Filed: November 20, 2018
*
v. *
* Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Myelitis (“TM”); Death.
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Franklin John Caldwell, Jr., Maglio, Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Robert P. Coleman, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On December 30, 2015, Melvin Craig filed a petition seeking compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program”).2 Sandra Craig appeared
later in the action as personal representative of Mr. Craig’s estate after Mr. Craig’s death. Petitioner
alleges that Mr. Craig developed transverse myelitis (“TM”), and subsequently died, as a result of
1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This
means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information.
Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged
or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole Decision in its present form will be
available. Id.
2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”).

Case 1:15-vv-01590-UNJ Document 53 Filed 12/26/18 Page 2 of 8
receiving his October 17, 2014 influenza (“flu”) vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that Mr. Craig
experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.
Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Craig’s TM (and resulting death), or
any other injury. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed
in a stipulation (filed on November 20, 2018) that the issues before them could be settled, and that
a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.
I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
(as attached hereto) is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the
terms set forth therein.
The stipulation awards:
 A lump sum of $300,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a) of the Act.
I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to
Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the Court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately)
a notice renouncing their right to seek review.
2

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