Mary Picanco v. HHS - Influenza, pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) (2017)

Mary Picanco filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 31, 2014. She alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on September 11, 2013, caused her to develop pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA), with residual injuries lasting more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused any injury to Ms. Picanco.

Despite this denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation recommending an award of compensation. The stipulation was found reasonable by Special Master Thomas L.

Gowen. Ms.

Picanco was awarded a lump sum of $100,000.00 as compensation for all damages. The decision on damages was issued on March 28, 2017.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the condition. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer of Conway Homer, P.C., and respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S.

Department of Justice.