VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00496
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00496
Petitioner: Sarah Choudry
Filed: 2014-04-17
Decided: 2014-05-12
Vaccine: meningococcal
Vaccination date: 2009-08-06
Condition: autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache condition
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 30000

AI-assisted case summary:
Sarah Choudry filed a petition on April 17, 2014, alleging that she received a meningococcal vaccine on August 6, 2009, and subsequently developed autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache condition, which she claimed was caused in fact by the vaccination. The respondent denied that Ms. Choudry developed autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache condition, or any other condition caused by the meningococcal vaccine. The respondent also denied that Ms. Choudry experienced residual effects of any injury for more than six months. Despite these denials, the parties reached a joint stipulation for damages. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation awarded Sarah Choudry a lump sum of $30,000.00 as compensation for all damages. The decision was entered on May 12, 2014. Both parties renounced the right to seek review, and judgment was to be entered in accordance with the stipulation.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Sarah Choudry alleged that a meningococcal vaccine administered on August 6, 2009, caused autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache condition. Respondent denied causation and residual effects beyond six months. The parties reached a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The award was a lump sum of $30,000.00 for all damages, as per the stipulation. The decision date was May 12, 2014. Attorneys involved were Brandon Mayfield for the petitioner and Debra Filteau Begley for the respondent. The theory of causation was not established via a "Table" condition.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00496-0
Date issued/filed: 2014-05-12
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/17/2014) regarding 38 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:12-vv-00496-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/12/14 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 12-496V
Filed: April 17, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
SARAH CHOUDRY, *
* Special Master Dorsey
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Meningococcal Vaccine; Auto-
* immune Meningitis; Headache
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Condition.
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brandon Mayfield, The Law Office of Brandon Mayfield, Beaverton, OR, for petitioner.
Debra Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION1
On August 8, 2012, Sarah Choudry (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleges
that she received a meningococcal vaccine on August 6, 2009, and thereafter developed
autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache condition which was caused in fact by the
vaccination.
On April 15, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered
awarding compensation.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:12-vv-00496-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/12/14 Page 2 of 7
Respondent denies that petitioner developed autoimmune meningitis and/or a headache
condition, or any other condition that was caused by the meningococcal vaccine. Respondent
also denies that petitioner experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in
awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $30,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-15(a).
Stipulation ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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