Tiffin Johnson v. HHS - Influenza, transverse myelitis (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On October 27, 2021, Tiffin Johnson filed a petition alleging that he suffered from transverse myelitis and its sequelae as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine and/or a hepatitis A vaccine on October 10, 2019. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused Petitioner's alleged injuries.
Despite this denial, the parties reached a stipulation recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. The stipulation was filed on September 27, 2023, and Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found it to be reasonable.
Based on this stipulation, Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $104,365.25, intended to cover all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher and Toale, and the respondent was represented by Emilie Williams of the U.S.
Department of Justice. Judgment was entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Tiffin Johnson alleged that he suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) and its sequelae as a result of receiving an influenza ("flu") vaccine and/or a hepatitis A vaccine on October 10, 2019. The respondent denied that the vaccines caused Petitioner's alleged injuries. The parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation, which Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found reasonable. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $104,365.25. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset, symptoms, tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, and respondent was represented by Emilie Williams.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-02085