Julie Rich v. HHS - Influenza, optic neuritis and/or vision loss in her right eye (2017)

Julie Rich filed a petition for vaccine compensation on November 5, 2015, alleging that the influenza vaccine she received on October 30, 2013, caused her to develop optic neuritis and/or vision loss in her right eye. The petition stated that the residual effects of these injuries lasted for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner's condition. The parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case, which Special Master Christian J.

Moran adopted as the decision of the Court. Under the stipulation, Julie Rich was awarded a lump sum payment of $175,000.00 for all damages, payable to her.

Additionally, a lump sum payment of $148.91 was awarded to reimburse a State of Illinois Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Julie Rich and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The stipulation also provided for a subsequent proceeding to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

In exchange for these payments, Julie Rich released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from all claims related to the flu vaccination. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

The stipulation explicitly states that it is not an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged optic neuritis and/or vision loss.