VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00258
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00258
Petitioner: J.M.E.
Filed: 2017-02-23
Decided: 2023-06-27
Vaccine: DTaP, IPV, and MMRV
Vaccination date: 2016-07-29
Condition: transverse myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 408242.91

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 23, 2017, Dionne Edwards filed a petition on behalf of her minor son, J.M.E., alleging that he developed transverse myelitis after receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), inactivated polio (IPV), and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccines on July 29, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the immunizations caused J.M.E.'s injury. The parties subsequently reached a settlement. The settlement terms included a lump sum of $293,303.11 for first-year life care expenses and pain and suffering, payable to petitioner as guardian/conservator of J.M.E.'s estate. An additional lump sum of $22,578.14 was designated for past unreimbursable expenses, payable to Dionne Edwards. Furthermore, $62,361.65 was allocated for reimbursement of an Alabama Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and Alabama Medicaid. The parties also agreed to an additional amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded compensation accordingly. The petition was filed on February 23, 2017, and the decision on the joint stipulation was issued on June 27, 2023. Petitioner was represented by Milton Ragsdale, Esq., and respondent was represented by Christine Becer, Esq. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner alleged that J.M.E. developed transverse myelitis following vaccination with DTaP, IPV, and MMRV vaccines on July 29, 2016. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement, agreeing to a total award of $408,242.91, which included compensation for first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, past unreimbursable expenses, and reimbursement of an Alabama Medicaid lien, along with an amount for an annuity. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation on June 27, 2023. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccines allegedly caused the transverse myelitis. Petitioner was represented by Milton Ragsdale, Esq., and respondent by Christine Becer, Esq.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00258-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-06-27
Pages: 13
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/31/2023) regarding 77 DECISION - Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (msg) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 1 of 13
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-258V
Filed: May 31, 2023
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
DIONNE EDWARDS, on behalf of *
her minor son, J.M.E., *
*
Petitioner, *
* UNPUBLISHED
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Milton Ragsdale, Esq., Ragsdale LLC, Birmingham, AL for petitioner.
Christine Becer, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Roth, Special Master:
On February 23, 2017, Dionne Edwards [“Ms. Edwards” or “petitioner”] filed a petition
for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on behalf of her
minor son, J.M.E. Petitioner alleges that J.M.E. developed transverse myelitis (“TM”) after
receiving the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (“DTaP”), inactivated polio (“IPV”), and
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (“MMRV”) vaccines on July 29, 2016. Stipulation, filed
May 31, 2023, at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that any of the aforementioned immunizations caused
J.M.E.’s injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2018).
1

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 2 of 13
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On May 31, 2023, the parties filed
a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. ECF No. 76.
Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:
a) A lump sum of $293,303.11, representing compensation for first year life care
expenses and pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner
as guardian/conservator of the estate of J.M.E. for the benefit of J.M.E. No
payments shall be made until petitioner provides response with documentation
establishing that she has been appointed as guardian/conservator of J.M.E.’s
estate;
b) A lump sum of $22,578.14, representing compensation for past unreimbursable
expenses, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Dionne Edwards;
c) A lump sum of $62,361.65, representing reimbursement of an Alabama
Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of J.M.E., in the form of a check
payable jointly to petitioner and
Alabama Medicaid Subrogation Unit
PO Box 240756
Montgomery, AL 36124
Medicaid ID #: 530000429425
Attn: Tammy Goodson
d) An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph
10 of the attached stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which
the annuity will be purchased.
These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under
§ 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance
with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 3 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 4 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 5 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 6 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 7 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 8 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 9 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 10 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 11 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 12 of 13

Case 1:17-vv-00258-UNJ Document 78 Filed 06/27/23 Page 13 of 13