Michael Ray Williams v. HHS - Influenza, fibromyalgia (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Michael Ray Williams filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 4, 2016, caused him to develop fibromyalgia (FM), neuropathy, fatigue, polyarthralgia, and other symptoms. The respondent argued against compensation.
The Special Master reviewed the evidence and found that Mr. Williams failed to provide sufficient evidence that the flu vaccine caused his alleged injury of FM.
The decision noted that Mr. Williams's pre-vaccination medical history included hypertension, sleep apnea, hypercholesterolemia, and other conditions.
Post-vaccination, he reported various symptoms including back pain, fatigue, numbness, and weakness, and sought treatment from multiple physicians. He also filed two VAERS reports.
Petitioner's experts, Dr. Curt Hagenau and Dr.
Omid Akbari, opined on the potential for vaccines to trigger FM, with Dr. Hagenau concluding the flu vaccine substantially contributed to Mr.
Williams's FM and Dr. Akbari proposing several immunological theories.
However, the court found that Mr. Williams did not meet his burden of proof under the Althen standard for establishing causation.
Consequently, the petition was dismissed. A subsequent motion for reconsideration of the dismissal was also denied due to procedural deficiencies in the appeal process.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine on September 4, 2016, adult exact age not stated, alleged to cause fibromyalgia, neuropathy, fatigue, polyarthralgia, and related symptoms. DISMISSED/DENIED. Petitioner Michael Ray Williams relied on Dr. Curt Hagenau and Dr. Omid Akbari to argue immune activation from vaccination caused fibromyalgia. Respondent disputed diagnosis, mechanism, and causation. Special Master Dorsey dismissed the petition November 13, 2024, and Senior Judge Eric G. Bruggink denied reconsideration January 2, 2025. No injury compensation awarded.