VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00031
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00031
Petitioner: Rachael Hanna
Filed: 2015-01-12
Decided: 2016-09-21
Vaccine: meningococcal
Vaccination date: 2012-08-09
Condition: idiopathic intracranial hypertension and headaches
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 35000

AI-assisted case summary:
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."

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Rachael Hanna alleged that a meningococcal vaccination on August 9, 2012, caused-in-fact her idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and headaches. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was approved by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. Petitioner was awarded $35,000.00 as a lump sum for all damages. The theory of causation is noted as "Off-Table." The public decision does not provide details on the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the medical evidence considered beyond the stipulation. Petitioner counsel was Ronald Craig Homer, and respondent counsel was Debra Filteau Begley. The decision date was September 21, 2016.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00031-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-09-21
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/04/2016) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00031-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/16 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-31V
Filed: May 4, 2016
UNPUBLISHED
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RACHAEL HANNA, *
*
Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;
* Meningococcal vaccine;
* Idiopathic intracranial hypertension;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Headaches; Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SPU”)
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, PC, Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Debra Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On January 12, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered idiopathic intracranial hypertension
(“IIH”) and headaches caused-in-fact by her meningococcal vaccination of August 9,
2012. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed May 3, 2016, at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that
she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months and that
there has been no prior award of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of
her condition. Petition at 15; Stipulation at ¶¶ 4-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner’s
alleged IIH, and/or headaches, or any other condition, was caused-in-fact by her
meningococcal vaccination. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on May 3, 2016, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with
the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to
identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:15-vv-00031-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/16 Page 2 of 7
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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