Susan Habchy v. HHS - Influenza, rheumatoid arthritis (2014)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On October 14, 2011, Petitioner Susan Habchy filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that an influenza vaccination caused her to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Respondent denied that the vaccination caused Petitioner's injuries.
However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on March 5, 2014. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court.
The stipulation awarded Petitioner a lump sum of $145,000.00, payable to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific date of vaccination, the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, or any expert testimony.
Petitioner was represented by Meredith Daniels of Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, and Respondent was represented by Lisa Watts of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Susan Habchy alleged that an influenza vaccine caused her to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation on March 5, 2014, agreeing to settle the case. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner $145,000.00. The public decision does not specify the vaccination date, age, onset, symptoms, medical records, expert testimony, or a specific theory of medical causation. Petitioner's counsel was Meredith Daniels, and Respondent's counsel was Lisa Watts. The decision date was March 26, 2014.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00680