Melissa Ballard v. HHS - Influenza, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (2025)

On December 21, 2022, Melissa Ballard filed a petition alleging that she developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 13, 2020. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.

Ballard's ADEM. The public stipulation does not describe her first neurologic symptoms, imaging, spinal-fluid testing, hospitalization, steroid or immune treatment, rehabilitation, residual limitations, expert opinions, or the parties' competing medical theories.

The parties resolved the case by stipulation filed October 23, 2025. On October 24, 2025, Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms.

Ballard $390,000.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.