VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00062
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00062
Petitioner: D.H.
Filed: 2020-01-21
Decided: 2026-01-20
Vaccine: diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), inactivated polio (IPV), pneumococcal conjugate, and rotavirus
Vaccination date: 2017-02-15
Condition: transverse myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 158509.8

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 21, 2020, Laura Hamilton filed a petition on behalf of her minor child, D.H., alleging that D.H. developed transverse myelitis after receiving DTaP, hepatitis B, Hib, IPV, pneumococcal conjugate, and rotavirus vaccinations on February 15, 2017.

Respondent denied that any of the vaccinations caused D.H.'s transverse myelitis. The public stipulation does not describe D.H.'s first symptoms, onset interval, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, steroid or other treatment, rehabilitation, or residual limitations. The decision notes that an electronic signature page was omitted from the public attachment to protect confidential information.

The parties nevertheless settled the case. On January 20, 2026, Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded $14,041.43 for past unreimbursed expenses, $9,468.37 to reimburse a South Dakota Department of Social Services Medicaid lien, and $135,000.00 to purchase an annuity, for identified compensation of $158,509.80.

Theory of causation field:
DTaP, Hep B, Hib, IPV, pneumococcal conjugate, and rotavirus vaccines February 15, 2017 to minor D.H. allegedly causing transverse myelitis. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied causation; public stipulation lacks onset, testing, treatment, and expert details. Award $14,041.43 expenses + $9,468.37 South Dakota Medicaid lien + $135,000 annuity purchase = $158,509.80. SM Mindy Michaels Roth; petition January 21, 2020; decision January 20, 2026.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00062-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-02-17
Pages: 10
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/20/2026) regarding 71 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (dkj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-00062-UNJ Document 75 Filed 02/17/26 Page 1 of 10
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-62V
Filed: January 20, 2026
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
LAURA HAMILTON, *
parent of D.H., a minor, *
*
Petitioner, *
*
*
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald C. Homer, Esq., Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Roth, Special Master:
On January 21, 2020, Laura Hamilton filed a petition for compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that her minor child D.H. developed
transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of the Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis (“DTaP”),
hepatitis B (“Hep B”), haemophilus influenzae (“Hib”), inactivated polio (“IPV”),
pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccinations he received on February 15, 2017.
Stipulation, filed January 20, 2026, at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that any of the aforementioned
immunizations caused petitioner’s injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2018).
1

Case 1:20-vv-00062-UNJ Document 75 Filed 02/17/26 Page 2 of 10
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On January 20, 2026, the parties
filed a joint stipulation3 agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. Respondent
agrees to issue the following payment:
a. A lump sum of $14,041.43, which amount represents compensation for past
unreimbursable expenses, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA
account for prompt disbursement to petitioner;
b. A lump sum of $9,468.37, representing reimbursement of a South Dakota Department of
Social Services Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of D.H., in the form of a check
payable jointly to petitioner and
South Dakota Department of Social Services
Attn: Brittany McDonald
700 GOVERNORS DRIVE
PIERRE, SD 57501-2291
Debt ID#: 000409694
Medicaid ID #: 001322657
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the South Dakota Department of Social
Services.
c. An amount of $135,000.00 to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of
the stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased
(the "Life Insurance Company").
These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under §
300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance
with this decision.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
3 The stipulation was filed with petitioner’s signature completed via Adobe Acrobat Sign (electronic
verification). To avoid the unnecessary disclosure of petitioner’s personal information, the Adobe Acrobat
Sign form has been omitted from this decision.
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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