John Hendricks v. HHS - Tdap, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (2025)

John Hendricks filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that the Tdap vaccine he received on August 19, 2016, caused him to suffer from acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM). The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Mr.

Hendricks' condition. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that Mr.

Hendricks should be awarded compensation. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Mr.

Hendricks a lump sum of $536,207.70 for first-year life care expenses, combined lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses. An additional amount was stipulated for the purchase of an annuity contract.

This award represents compensation for all damages available under the program. The case was resolved via stipulation, with judgment to be entered accordingly.