Rebecca Wentland v. HHS - Tdap, transverse myelitis (2021)

Rebecca Wentland filed a petition for compensation on August 28, 2018, alleging that the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine she received on April 8, 2016, caused her to develop transverse myelitis (TM). She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from the condition for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused Ms. Wentland's TM.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details of the condition, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to compensation.

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

The award included a lump sum payment of $25,000.00 payable to the petitioner and a lump sum of $1,308.89 to reimburse a Medicaid lien, for a total award of $26,308.89. This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the program.

The decision was filed on July 27, 2021. Ronald C.

Homer represented the petitioner, and Sarah C. Duncan represented the respondent.

The public decision does not name any experts or detail the specific mechanism of causation.