Joann Keown v. HHS - Influenza, bilateral upper extremity weakness; difficulty breathing; torso and bilateral upper extremity paresthesia; fatigue (2017)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Joann Keown filed a petition for compensation on March 8, 2017, alleging that she suffered bilateral upper extremity weakness, difficulty breathing, paresthesias of her torso and bilateral upper extremities, fatigue, and related sequelae as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on January 20, 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injuries.
The parties reached a settlement through a stipulation, which Special Master Laura D. Millman found to be reasonable.
Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awarded Joann Keown a lump sum of $200,000.00, representing reimbursement for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The award was to be paid in the form of a check to Ms.
Keown. The decision directed the clerk of the court to enter judgment accordingly.
Petitioner was represented by Ramon Rodriguez III, and respondent was represented by Ryan D. Pyles.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Joann Keown alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on January 20, 2011, caused bilateral upper extremity weakness, difficulty breathing, torso and bilateral upper extremity paresthesia, and fatigue. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the matter, and Special Master Laura D. Millman found the stipulation reasonable. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. The case resulted in a compensated outcome with a lump sum award of $200,000.00, representing all damages available under the program. Petitioner's counsel was Ramon Rodriguez III, and respondent's counsel was Ryan D. Pyles. The decision was issued on March 8, 2017.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00011