Robert Willis v. HHS - Influenza, Transverse Myelitis (2022)

Robert Willis filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 17, 2021. He alleged that he suffered Transverse Myelitis (TM) as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on October 7, 2019.

Mr. Willis further alleged that he experienced residual effects of the condition for more than six months, that no civil action for damages had been filed, and that the vaccine was administered in the United States.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Willis suffered from TM as a result of the flu immunization or that the vaccine caused him any other injury or his current condition.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on October 20, 2022. Special Master Daniel T.

Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Mr.

Willis was awarded a lump sum of $30,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages. The decision was issued on October 21, 2022.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner was represented by Andrew Melling of Burr & Forman LLP, and respondent was represented by Austin Egan of the U.S.

Department of Justice.