Morgan Gaffney v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2021)

Morgan Gaffney filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 19, 2019, alleging she suffered transverse myelitis (TM) caused by an influenza vaccine she received on October 10, 2017. The flu vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

Ms. Gaffney alleged that she experienced residual effects from the TM for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Gaffney experienced TM, that the vaccine caused her alleged TM or any other injury, and that her condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. The stipulation provided for an award of compensation to Ms.

Gaffney. The court adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms.

Gaffney $97,500.00 as a lump sum payment for all damages. The decision was issued on April 14, 2021.