Deborah Easterbrook v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Deborah Easterbrook filed a petition on January 23, 2017, alleging that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis and influenza vaccines she received on February 5, 2014, caused her to develop transverse myelitis. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused her transverse myelitis or any other injury. Despite the denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation.
Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.
The stipulation awarded Easterbrook a lump sum payment of $200,000.00, payable to her. This amount was intended to compensate for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
The clerk was directed to enter judgment according to the decision and stipulation, barring any motions for review. Randall G.
Knutson represented the petitioner, and Lara A. Englund represented the respondent.
The decision was filed on January 2, 2018, and signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Deborah Easterbrook alleged that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis and influenza vaccines received on February 5, 2014, caused transverse myelitis, a condition listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. She claimed residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted. The stipulation resulted in a $200,000.00 lump sum award. Petitioner counsel was Randall G. Knutson, and respondent counsel was Lara A. Englund. The decision date was January 2, 2018.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00091