Amanda Nichole Puckett v. HHS - HPV, cardiac arrhythmia (2019)

On August 25, 2015, Michael C. Puckett, Sr., filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on behalf of the estate of his daughter, Amanda Nichole Puckett.

The petition alleged that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations Amanda received on June 22, 2013, and August 22, 2013, caused her to develop cardiac arrhythmia, which resulted in her death on August 25, 2013. The petition stated that the HPV vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccinations caused Ms. Puckett's alleged cardiac arrhythmia, any other injury, or her death.

Despite maintaining their positions, the parties reached a settlement. On December 10, 2018, they filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case.

As part of the stipulation, the respondent agreed to issue a lump sum payment of $175,000.00, payable by check to Michael C. Puckett, Sr., as the legal representative of the Estate of Amanda Nichole Puckett.

This amount was intended as compensation for all damages available under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded the compensation.

The decision noted that the stipulation was an "unpublished" decision but would be posted online. The stipulation also addressed future proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs and included a release of claims against the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, or treatments received. The attorneys involved were Mark Sadaka, Esq., for the petitioner, and Lara Englund, Esq., for the respondent.