Steven Jenkins v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2020)

Steven Jenkins filed a petition for compensation on December 6, 2016, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 20, 2015, caused him to develop transverse myelitis (TM) and experience residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged TM or any other injury.

However, on November 22, 2019, the parties filed a stipulation for award. Special Master Herbrina Sanders found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

The stipulation provided for compensation to Petitioner, including a lump sum of $355,744.28. This lump sum represented compensation for first-year life care expenses ($110,673.52), pain and suffering ($170,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($75,070.76).

Additionally, an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future damages was to be paid to a life insurance company. This award was made on the terms set forth in the stipulation, and judgment was entered accordingly.

Petitioner's counsel was Danielle Strait of Maglio Christopher & Toale, and respondent's counsel was Mallori Openchowski of the United States Department of Justice.