E.E.Z. v. HHS - MMR, juvenile dermatomyositis (2022)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Marian J. Zielinski and Mathew E.
Zielinski, as parents and legal representatives of the minor child E.E.Z., filed a petition on July 24, 2018, alleging that E.E.Z. suffered from juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) as a result of receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and varicella vaccinations on August 29, 2017. The respondent denied that the vaccines caused E.E.Z.'s alleged injury.
The parties reached a stipulation to settle the issues and award compensation. The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $237,655.90 for E.E.Z.'s estate and $12,344.10 for unreimbursable expenses, totaling $250,000.
Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation and ordered judgment accordingly.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner counsel was Richard H.
Moeller, and respondent counsel was Emilie Williams.
Theory of causation
Petitioners alleged that E.E.Z. suffered from juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) as a result of receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and varicella vaccinations on August 29, 2017. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to settle the claim, resulting in an award of $250,000, comprising $237,655.90 for the estate and $12,344.10 for unreimbursable expenses. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccines allegedly caused the JDM. The case was settled via stipulation, approved by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen on April 26, 2022, with petitioner represented by Richard H. Moeller and respondent by Emilie Williams.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01075