Kristina Pearson v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Kristina Pearson filed a petition on June 16, 2021, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that she suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) as a result of the influenza vaccine she received on October 11, 2018.
The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged TM or any other injury. However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a joint stipulation filed on June 15, 2021.
The Special Master reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the court's decision. The stipulation awarded Kristina Pearson a lump sum of $190,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all available damages.
The Special Master approved this award and directed the Clerk to enter judgment. The decision was signed by Special Master Katherine E.
Oler on September 2, 2021. Petitioner's counsel was Glen H.
Sturtevant, Jr. of Rawls Law Group, and respondent's counsel was Mark K. Hellie of the U.S.
Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset, specific symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the specific mechanism of causation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Kristina Pearson alleged that the influenza vaccine administered on October 11, 2018, caused her transverse myelitis (TM). Respondent denied this allegation. The parties reached a settlement via joint stipulation, agreeing to an award of $190,000.00 for all damages. The specific theory of causation, medical experts, or mechanism of injury were not detailed in the public decision, as the case was resolved by stipulation. Special Master Katherine E. Oler approved the stipulation on September 2, 2021. Petitioner was represented by Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr., and Respondent by Mark K. Hellie.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00350