Kathryn Larson v. HHS - Tdap, Transverse Myelitis (2024)

Kathryn Larson filed a petition on May 17, 2019, alleging that she suffered Transverse Myelitis (TM) as a result of her Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination administered on August 1, 2016. Ms.

Larson claimed that she experienced residual effects from the condition for more than six months, that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages related to her condition, and that her vaccine was administered in the United States. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused any of petitioner’s alleged injuries or her current condition.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 22, 2024, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Special Master Daniel T.

Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Ms.

Larson was awarded a lump sum of $165,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This amount is intended to compensate for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was entered on February 22, 2024. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer of Conway, Homer, P.C., and respondent was represented by Naseem Kourosh of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the condition, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury.

The public decision also does not name any medical experts.