John Sheridan v. HHS - Influenza, Transverse Myelitis (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On May 22, 2017, John Sheridan filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on January 25, 2016, caused him to develop Transverse Myelitis (TM) and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged TM or any other injury. However, on October 15, 2018, the parties filed a stipulation for award.
The Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum payment of $60,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the program.
The parties agreed to expedite the entry of judgment by jointly filing notice renouncing the right to seek review. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Petitioner was represented by Andrew D. Downing of Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, and Respondent was represented by Gabrielle M.
Fielding of the United States Department of Justice. Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued the decision.
Theory of causation
Petitioner John Sheridan alleged that an influenza vaccine received on January 25, 2016, caused him to develop Transverse Myelitis (TM) and experience residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a stipulation for award on October 15, 2018, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $60,000.00 for all damages. Special Master Herbrina Sanders adopted the stipulation as the decision of the Court on December 3, 2018. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or name any experts. Petitioner was represented by Andrew D. Downing and Respondent by Gabrielle M. Fielding.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00669