Raymond Decker v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Raymond Decker filed a petition on September 2, 2016, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 16, 2015, caused him to suffer transverse myelitis. He further alleged that he experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated his condition. Despite this denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation.
Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted the stipulation as the decision of the Court.
The stipulation awarded Mr. Decker a lump sum payment of $107,500.00, payable to him via check, to compensate for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
The case was resolved via this stipulation, and judgment was to be entered accordingly. Franklin J.
Caldwell, Jr. represented the petitioner, and Adriana R. Teitel represented the respondent.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Raymond Decker alleged that the influenza vaccine administered on October 16, 2015, caused transverse myelitis, an injury listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. Petitioner further alleged residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation and aggravation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted. The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $107,500.00 to petitioner. Petitioner counsel was Franklin J. Caldwell, Jr., and respondent counsel was Adriana R. Teitel. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the basis for the stipulation beyond the parties' agreement.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01104