Willie Roberts, Jr. v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2020)

Derek Roberts, as personal representative of the estate of Willie Roberts, Jr., filed a petition on August 8, 2018, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 24, 2014, caused his father to suffer transverse myelitis (TM). The petition further alleged that Mr.

Roberts suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated the alleged injury.

The parties subsequently reached a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted as the decision of the Court.

The stipulation awarded a lump sum payment of $125,000.00, payable to Derek Roberts as Administrator of the Estate of Willie Roberts, Jr., as compensation for all damages. The decision date was August 12, 2020.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical course, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner counsel was Theodore J.

Hong of Maglio Christopher & Toale, and respondent counsel was Voris E. Johnson of the United States Department of Justice.