Melissa Ballard v. HHS - Influenza, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
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.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine November 13, 2020 allegedly causing acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM); adult, exact age not stated. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied causation; public stipulation lacks neurologic chronology, diagnostic details, treatment course, experts, and mechanism. Award $390,000 lump sum. SM Mindy Michaels Roth; attorney Edward Kraus; petition December 21, 2022; decision October 24, 2025.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01884