{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-2","petitioner_identifier":"Caylin Williams","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":11.75,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"DTaP","vaccination_date":"2014-07-29","condition_raw":"interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory failure","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":500000,"decision_date":"2023-08-01","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T03:15:17.294542+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":3,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":2,"theory_of_causation":"Caylin Williams, an 11-year-old female, received DTaP, HPV, and meningococcal vaccines on July 29, 2014. Within two days, she developed fever and arm swelling, followed by cough, chest pain, and respiratory distress, leading to a diagnosis of acute respiratory failure and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Petitioner's expert, Dr. Eric Gershwin, opined that the vaccinations, in combination with an underlying viral infection and prior steroid use, caused immune system dysregulation. He theorized that the vaccines triggered an intense innate immune response, producing cytokines that, in conjunction with the viral infection, led to sterile inflammation and abnormal healing characterized by fibrosis in the lungs. This process, he argued, amplified the immune response to the virus, causing a rapid and severe progression of childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD), which would have been reversible without the vaccine's contribution. Respondent's experts, Dr. Gary Rachelefsky and Dr. Christine McCusker, argued that there was no literature linking the HPV vaccine to ILD in children, that Petitioner's condition was likely a viral infection, and that the immune response to vaccines is compartmentalized and does not cause systemic inflammation leading to lung fibrosis. Dr. McCusker suggested Petitioner's prior steroid use and infection were more likely causes of immune dysregulation. Special Master Herbrina Sanders found that Petitioner presented preponderant evidence that the vaccinations were a substantial factor and but-for cause of her IPF and acute respiratory failure, constituting a significant aggravation of her condition. The Special Master found that the rapid progression and severity of Caylin's illness, coupled with the medical literature and expert testimony, supported a causal link. The case resulted in a stipulated award of $500,000.00 ($250,000 for death, $250,000 for pain and suffering) to the estate of Caylin Williams. Attorneys for Petitioner were Michael G. McLaren, et al. Attorneys for Respondent included Dhairya D. Jani and Dorian Hurley.","is_death":1,"date_of_death":"2021-05-16","petition_filed_date":"2016-05-05","case_summary":"On May 5, 2016, Donna Williams filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on behalf of her minor daughter, Caylin Williams. The petition alleged that DTaP, HPV, and meningococcal vaccines administered on July 29, 2014, caused Caylin to develop interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and acute respiratory failure. Caylin was eleven years old at the time of vaccination. Her medical records indicated that she was born prematurely at thirty-two weeks. Prior to vaccination, she had a history of eczema and a MRSA infection treated with antibiotics. On July 31, 2014, two days after vaccination, Caylin presented with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, and back pain, initially suspected to be a viral illness. By August 3, 2014, her condition had worsened significantly, leading to hospitalization and respiratory distress. She was transferred to a level two trauma center and later to a level one trauma center, where she was diagnosed with interstitial pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and diffuse alveolar damage. A lung biopsy revealed diffuse interstitial fibrosis with a chronic, non-infectious process. She was placed on ECMO and later underwent a bilateral lung transplant on September 25, 2014. The Special Master, Herbrina Sanders, issued a Ruling on Entitlement on April 25, 2022, finding that Caylin had met her burden of proof and presented preponderant evidence that her vaccinations were the but-for cause of her IPF and acute respiratory failure. The Special Master noted that while prematurity is a risk factor for ILD, Caylin had no known respiratory issues related to it, and her condition rapidly deteriorated following vaccination. The Special Master found that the vaccines were a substantial factor in the severity of her condition, leading to a significant aggravation of her pre-existing asymptomatic state and mild viral symptoms. The Special Master concluded that Caylin had established a prima facie case for compensation under the Althen and Loving legal standards. On May 16, 2022, counsel for Caylin informed the court that she had passed away from complications related to her lung transplant. John C. Williams was appointed personal representative of her estate. On May 18, 2023, the parties filed a Proffer on Award of Damages. Special Master Sanders issued a Decision Awarding Damages on August 1, 2023, awarding the estate of Caylin Williams $500,000.00. This amount comprised $250,000.00 for vaccine-related death and $250,000.00 for past pain and suffering. Petitioner's counsel was Michael G. McLaren of Black McLaren, et al., PC. Respondent's counsel included Dhairya D. Jani and Dorian Hurley of the United States Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Caylin Williams","petitioner_attorney_name":"Michael G. McLaren","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Black McLaren, et al., PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Memphis, TN","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:19","attorney_canonical_keys":"|michael-mclaren|","firm_canonical_key":"black-mclaren-jones-ryland-and-griffee","package_title":"WILLIAMS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-0","title":"WILLIAMS v. 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(arm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-05-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":647520,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-2","title":"WILLIAMS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/22/2023) regarding 93 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (rig) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-08-01","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":294899,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-2"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00553-3","title":"WILLIAMS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/06/2024) regarding 100 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-01-31","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}