Edwin J. Smith v. HHS - Influenza, brachial plexopathy (2019)

Petitioner Edwin J. Smith filed a petition for compensation on March 3, 2017, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 2, 2014, caused him to suffer neurological injuries, specifically brachial plexopathy.

The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and Mr. Smith alleged that he suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated his injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to a settlement.

Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

Mr. Smith was awarded a lump sum payment of $75,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages.

The decision was filed on January 23, 2019. Petitioner was represented by David C.

Richards of Christensen & Jensen, P.C., and Respondent was represented by Camille Collett of the United States Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, or treatments.

The specific mechanism of injury is not detailed in the public decision.