Brent Owens v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's Palsy (2020)

Brent Owens filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 13, 2016, alleging he suffered from Bell's Palsy as a result of a flu vaccination received on October 28, 2014. The case involved expert reports from both petitioner and respondent.

A fact hearing was held to determine symptom onset, and the Special Master later ruled that tongue numbness began within 24 hours of vaccination and facial droop began the following day. Following this ruling, the parties requested and received several extensions to determine how to proceed.

Ultimately, on May 21, 2020, Brent Owens filed a motion to dismiss his own petition, stating he was unable to secure further evidence required by the Court to prove entitlement to compensation. The Special Master granted the motion, finding insufficient evidence in the record for the petitioner to meet his burden of proof, and dismissed the petition.

No award was granted.