{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575-0","petitioner_identifier":"Melissa Howie","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2015-11-25","condition_raw":"significant aggravation of her Multiple Sclerosis (“MS”) and Neuromyelitis Optica (“NMO”)","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":200000,"decision_date":"2021-03-29","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:50:58.509355+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Melissa Howie alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on November 25, 2015, caused a significant aggravation of her pre-existing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). The respondent denied that the vaccine caused the alleged aggravation or any other injury, and denied that the condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. The parties ultimately filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Daniel T. Horner found reasonable and adopted. The stipulation resulted in an award of $200,000 to the petitioner. The specific medical mechanism or expert testimony supporting the petitioner's theory of causation was not detailed in the public decision, as the case was resolved via stipulation. The decision does not describe the onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments related to the alleged injury.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2016-11-28","case_summary":"Melissa Howie filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 28, 2016. She alleged that she suffered a significant aggravation of her pre-existing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 25, 2015. Ms. Howie stated that she received the vaccine in the United States, experienced residual effects for more than six months, and had no prior award or settlement for her condition. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged injuries or aggravation of her conditions, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation on March 2, 2021. Special Master Daniel T. Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Melissa Howie was awarded a lump sum of $200,000, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision directed the clerk of the court to enter judgment in accordance with this award. Petitioner was represented by Braden Blumenstiel of DuPont and Blumenstiel, LLC, and respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Daniel T. Horner","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Melissa Howie","petitioner_attorney_name":"Braden Blumenstiel","petitioner_attorney_firm":"DuPont and Blumenstiel, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dublin, OH","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:45:01","attorney_canonical_keys":"|braden-blumenstiel|","firm_canonical_key":"dupont-and-blumenstiel","package_title":"HOWIE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575-0","title":"HOWIE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/2/2021) regarding 113 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (tkp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-03-29","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":1956861,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01575-1","title":"HOWIE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 4/22/2022) regarding 119 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (tkp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-05-17","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}