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Her son’s injury never got its day in vaccine court. Their lawyer is now advising RFK Jr. on its overhaul
Andrew Downing withdrew hundreds of Gardasil claims and now advises HHS on reforming the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which has paid over $5 billion in awards.
- HHS awarded Downing's firm a sole-source contract to consult on overhauling the VICP, later growing to $410,000.
- The family filed a VICP claim for Keithron Thomas's chronic pain after an HPV vaccination, but incomplete records led to dismissal and no compensation.
- Records show that in recent years the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program paid about $280 million to attorneys, including over $9 million for unsuccessful claims in each of the last two fiscal years.
- When Bostic refused to opt out within 240 days, Downing withdrew and moved to the Carlson Law Firm, leaving her family without compensation.
- Advocates and officials say VICP needs reform, as its pain-and-suffering cap has not changed since its creation, with over 12,500 awards totaling roughly $5 billion handled by eight officials.
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57 Articles
Pasadena Star News+56 Reposted by 56 other sources
Her son’s injury never got its day in vaccine court. Their lawyer is now advising RFK Jr. on its overhaul
By Maia Rosenfeld, KFF Health News JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In 2019, after a routine vaccination, 11-year-old Keithron Thomas felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and down his arm. His mother, Melanie Bostic, thought it would go away after a few days. But days turned to weeks, then months, and years. Related Articles Judge orders Trump administration to bring back 3 families deported to Honduras, other countries Justice D…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources57
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center43Last UpdatedBias Distribution86% Center
Bias Distribution
- 86% of the sources are Center
86% Center
C 86%
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