Donna Summer v. HHS - Influenza, central and autonomic nervous system impairment (2016)

On January 28, 2014, Donna Summer filed a petition with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a central and autonomic nervous system impairment as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 16, 2013. Petitioner further alleged that Mrs.

Summer experienced residual effects from this condition for more than six months. Mrs.

Summer died in a car accident in May 2016. Her husband, David Summer, subsequently entered the case as successor in interest and amended the petition.

The Respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused Mrs. Summer's alleged condition.

Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on September 12, 2016. Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision. The stipulation awarded Petitioner, as the legal representative of the Estate of Donna Summer, a lump sum of $20,000.00 for all damages.

The decision was issued on September 15, 2016. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Petitioner was represented by Andrew Donald Downing of Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, and Respondent was represented by Michael Patrick Milmoe of the U.S. Department of Justice.