Jordana Ross v. HHS - Tdap, transverse myelitis versus spinal cord infarct (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On February 9, 2022, Jordana Ross filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine administered on August 20, 2019 caused transverse myelitis. She was 29 years old, with a history including smoking, hypertension, weight gain, and chronic low back pain.
On September 18, 2019, Ms. Ross woke with numbness in her lower back and tailbone area, followed within hours by severe pain, lower-extremity weakness and numbness, and incontinence.
Initial lumbar MRI and lumbar puncture were not definitive, and later imaging raised possibilities including demyelinating disease, transverse myelitis, or spinal cord infarct. The case turned on whether the clinical picture was truly transverse myelitis and whether the Tdap vaccine could be linked to it.
Petitioner relied on Dr. Justin Willer.
Respondent relied on neurologist Dr. Karen Roos, who favored spinal cord infarct over transverse myelitis.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that the abrupt presentation and vascular risk factors were more consistent with spinal cord infarct and that petitioner had not met Althen prong two.
Entitlement was denied on November 14, 2025.
Theory of causation
Tdap vaccine August 20, 2019 at age 29 causing alleged transverse myelitis. DENIED. Onset September 18, 2019 with abrupt lower back/tailbone numbness, severe pain, lower-extremity weakness/numbness, and incontinence. Diagnostic dispute: TM versus spinal cord infarct; petitioner expert Dr. Justin Willer; respondent expert Dr. Karen Roos favored infarct, with smoking/hypertension/weight as risk factors. CSM Corcoran found infarct more likely and Althen prong two not met. Decision November 14, 2025. Petition filed February 9, 2022.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00136