E.L. v. HHS - Influenza, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (2018)

Kerry and Benjamin Leigh, parents of E.L., a minor, filed a petition on March 28, 2017, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered to E.L. on October 22, 2015, caused acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). They further alleged that E.L. suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza vaccine caused E.L.'s ADEM or any other injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation.

Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed and adopted the stipulation as the decision of the Court.

The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $8,000.00, payable to the petitioners, for past unreimbursable expenses. Additionally, a lump sum payment of $122,000.00, payable to the petitioners as guardians/conservators of E.L.'s estate, was awarded as compensation for all other damages.

The total award amounted to $130,000.00. The case was resolved via stipulation and award.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the mechanism of injury. The names of petitioner counsel were Ronald C.

Homer and Christina M. Ciampolillo of Conway Homer, P.C., and respondent counsel was Daniel A.

Principato of the United States Department of Justice.