Leonard E. Smith v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2020)

On March 28, 2018, Leonard E. Smith filed a Vaccine Program petition after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 28, 2016.

He alleged that the vaccine caused transverse myelitis. The public decision was entered on a joint stipulation and contains limited clinical detail.

It identifies the vaccine, date, and alleged transverse myelitis, but it does not describe onset, spinal imaging, laboratory testing, treatment, or expert analysis. Respondent denied that the influenza immunization caused Smith's injury.

The parties nevertheless agreed to resolve the case by stipulation, leaving the public record with the core legal and compensation facts but not a detailed medical narrative. The parties filed a joint stipulation on January 24, 2020.

Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted it that day and awarded a lump sum of $160,000.00, payable to Leonard Smith, representing all damages available under section 15(a). Judgment was directed in accordance with the stipulation.

Smith was represented by Nancy Meyers of Ward Black Law in Greensboro, North Carolina.