Kaitlin Ripple v. HHS - HPV, Sjogren’s syndrome and/or Lupus (2020)

Kaitlin Ripple filed a petition on August 7, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Ms.

Ripple alleged that she suffered Sjogren’s syndrome and/or Lupus as a result of receiving the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and/or the meningococcal vaccine on August 13, 2012. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the HPV or meningococcal vaccines caused Ms.

Ripple's alleged conditions or any other injury. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a joint stipulation filed on August 20, 2019.

Special Master Katherine E. Oler reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision in the case.

The stipulation awarded Ms. Ripple a lump sum of $30,000.00, payable to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The decision was entered on January 10, 2020, and judgment was directed to be entered unless a motion for review was filed. Petitioner was represented by Mark T.

Sadaka of Sadaka Associates LLC, and Respondent was represented by Heather Pearlman of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert testimony.