Rachael Hanna v. HHS - Meningococcal, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and headaches (2016)

Rachael Hanna filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 12, 2015, alleging that she suffered idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and headaches caused-in-fact by her meningococcal vaccination administered on August 9, 2012. Ms.

Hanna claimed that she experienced residual effects from her condition for more than six months and that no prior civil action had been filed on her behalf. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccination caused Ms.

Hanna's alleged conditions. Despite the denial, on May 3, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Ms.

Hanna was awarded a lump sum of $35,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages. The decision was issued on September 21, 2016.

Petitioner counsel was Ronald Craig Homer of Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, PC, and respondent counsel was Debra Filteau Begley of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the medical experts consulted by either party. The theory of causation is described as "Off-Table."