Nichelle Williams v. HHS - Influenza, optic neuritis (2023)

Nichelle Williams filed a petition on September 24, 2020, alleging that the influenza vaccine she received on October 18, 2017, caused her to develop optic neuritis. The petition stated that optic neuritis is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table and that Ms.

Williams suffered residual effects of the condition for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Williams's optic neuritis or any other injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation to resolve the case.

Special Master Christian J. Moran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Under the terms of the stipulation, Ms. Williams was awarded a lump sum of $69,000.00, payable by check to petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

The decision was issued on October 12, 2023. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner counsel was Ronald Homer and Lauren Faga of Conway Homer, PC, and respondent counsel was Austin Joel Egan of the United States Department of Justice.