Melissa Jones v. HHS - Influenza, anaphylaxis, hypotension, and acute cholecystitis (2016)

Melissa Jones filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 23, 2015, alleging that she suffered severe anaphylaxis, hypotension, and acute cholecystitis requiring a cholecystectomy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 2, 2012. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects for more than six months.

The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged injuries. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on December 5, 2016, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

The Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Melissa Jones was awarded a lump sum of $40,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was entered on December 6, 2016. Petitioner was represented by Joseph Tedford McFadden of Rawls, McNelis & Mitchell, and respondent was represented by Ryan Daniel Pyles of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The Special Master was Nora Beth Dorsey.