Patricia Pernal v. HHS - Influenza, polymyositis (2015)

Patricia Pernal filed a petition on October 3, 2012, alleging that a seasonal influenza vaccine she received on October 20, 2009, caused her to develop polymyositis, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccination caused petitioner's polymyositis or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of this injury.

The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation on April 16, 2015, to settle the case. Special Master Christian J.

Moran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. Ronald C.

Homer of Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C. represented the petitioner, and Heather Pearlman of the U.S. Department of Justice represented the respondent.