Teresa Leon v. HHS - Hepatitis A, neuromyelitis optica and/or transverse myelitis (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Teresa Leon filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 31, 2019, alleging that she suffered neuromyelitis optica and/or transverse myelitis as a result of receiving a hepatitis A vaccine on November 3, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injuries or current condition.
Despite maintaining their respective positions, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. The stipulation provided for a lump sum award of $75,000.00, payable to petitioner, to compensate for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation accordingly.
The decision was filed on February 29, 2024. The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, the specific onset of symptoms, medical history, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
The decision was posted to a publicly available website as required by the E-Government Act of 2002.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Teresa Leon alleged that a hepatitis A vaccine administered on November 3, 2017, caused her to suffer neuromyelitis optica and/or transverse myelitis. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for settlement, agreeing to an award of $75,000.00. The Special Master adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or name any experts. The case was resolved via stipulation on January 5, 2024, with the decision filed on February 29, 2024, by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by the Department of Justice.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00179