Jennifer L. Good v. HHS - HPV, myelopathy and/or transverse myelitis (2021)

Jennifer L. Good filed a petition on August 3, 2017, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Ms. Good alleged that she developed myelopathy and/or transverse myelitis as a result of receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on January 7, 2014.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the HPV immunization caused Ms. Good's alleged neurological injury.

Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a joint stipulation filed on August 3, 2021. Special Master Katherine E.

Oler reviewed the file and adopted the parties' stipulation as her decision, finding it reasonable. The stipulation awarded Ms.

Good a total of $797,392.14. This award included a lump sum of $168,484.14 to satisfy the State of Illinois Medicaid lien, a lump sum of $125,000.00 payable to the Jennifer L.

Good U.S. Grantor Reversionary Trust, and a lump sum of $568,908.00 payable to Ms.

Good. The latter lump sum included $168,908.00 for future life care expenses for the first year following the entry of judgment.

The remainder of the damages was to be paid in the form of an annuity contract, to be purchased as soon as practicable after the entry of judgment. The Special Master ordered the Respondent to purchase an annuity contract from a life insurance company meeting specific financial and rating criteria for the benefit of Petitioner.

The decision was issued by Special Master Katherine E. Oler on October 12, 2021.

Petitioner was represented by Thomas L. Knight of Thomas L.

Knight & Associates, and Respondent was represented by Ryan Pyles of the U.S. Department of Justice.