{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378-3","petitioner_identifier":"Jodi Fiske","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":36.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2014-09-29","condition_raw":"small fiber neuropathy","condition_category":"small_fiber_neuropathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":98589,"decision_date":"2024-05-21","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:53:14.534655+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":5,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Jodi Fiske, age 36, received an influenza vaccine on September 29, 2014. Approximately five days later, she developed symptoms of tingling, numbness, and burning pain in her extremities, progressing to weakness and fatigue. She was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy (SFN) by treating physicians, with an abnormal skin biopsy supporting the diagnosis. Petitioner's expert, Dr. Laura Boylan, opined that Petitioner developed an atypical variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) manifesting as SFN, caused by the flu vaccine through molecular mimicry. Dr. Boylan cited medical literature suggesting SFN can be a rare variant of GBS and that vaccines can trigger autoimmune responses via molecular mimicry. Respondent's expert, Dr. Christopher Gibbons, opined that Petitioner did not have SFN and that the flu vaccine did not cause her condition, questioning the diagnostic value of the skin biopsy and the temporal relationship. Special Master Katherine E. Oler found that Petitioner preponderantly demonstrated that the flu vaccine caused her SFN, satisfying the Althen prongs: a reputable medical theory (SFN as a variant of GBS caused by vaccine-induced autoimmunity via molecular mimicry), a logical sequence of cause and effect (symptoms consistent with SFN, no alternative cause identified, treating physicians linking condition to vaccine), and a proximate temporal relationship (onset of symptoms five days post-vaccination, within the medically acceptable timeframe of three days to two months). Petitioner was awarded $98,589.87 ($92,500.00 for pain and suffering, $6,089.87 for past unreimbursed expenses) on May 21, 2024. Attorneys for Petitioner were Andrew Downing and Katherine Edwards for Respondent.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2017-09-28","case_summary":"On September 28, 2017, Jodi Fiske filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she developed small fiber neuropathy (SFN) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 29, 2014. Petitioner testified that approximately five days after vaccination, she began experiencing tingling and numbness in her feet, which spread to her legs, arms, and hands over the following days, accompanied by fatigue and a sensation of weakness. Her symptoms continued to worsen in October 2014, impacting her ability to perform tasks at work and at home. Over the subsequent years, various treating physicians noted symptoms consistent with neuropathy, with some suspecting a link to the flu vaccine. On August 21, 2017, a skin biopsy was performed, which was later interpreted as consistent with small fiber neuropathy. On January 24, 2018, a treating neurologist assessed Petitioner with SFN, noting the abnormal skin biopsy. The respondent initially contested entitlement, arguing that the evidence did not support an SFN diagnosis or that the vaccine caused it. Following an entitlement hearing, Special Master Katherine E. Oler issued a ruling on November 13, 2023, finding that Petitioner had preponderantly demonstrated that the flu vaccine caused her SFN and was therefore entitled to compensation. A subsequent decision on May 21, 2024, awarded Petitioner $98,589.87. This award comprised $92,500.00 for pain and suffering and $6,089.87 for past unreimbursed expenses, to be paid as a lump sum. Petitioner was represented by Andrew Downing of Downing, Allison & Jorgenson, and Respondent was represented by Katherine Edwards of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Katherine E. Oler","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Andrew Donald Downing","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Downing, Allison & Jorgenson","petitioner_attorney_location":"Phoenix, AZ","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|andrew-downing|","firm_canonical_key":"downing-allison-and-jorgenson","package_title":"FISKE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378-0","title":"FISKE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/20/2019) regarding 32 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorneys' Fees. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (dd) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-07-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01378-1","title":"FISKE v. 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