VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00193
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00193
Petitioner: A.H.
Filed: 2018-02-07
Decided: 2019-06-21
Vaccine: Tdap and HPV
Vaccination date: 2016-08-19
Condition: vasovagal syncope and resulting sequelae, including a lump on her head and associated concussion
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 52044

AI-assisted case summary:
William and Rhonda Henderson, as parents and guardians of their minor daughter A.H., filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 7, 2018. They alleged that A.H. developed vasovagal syncope after receiving tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines on August 19, 2016. The petition stated that the syncope resulted in a fall, a concussion, and a persistent lump on her head, causing disfigurement. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on November 15, 2018, conceding that petitioners were entitled to compensation. The respondent stated that A.H.'s vasovagal syncope occurred within one hour of vaccination and met the criteria for a Table injury, with no apparent alternative cause, and that A.H. experienced more than six months of residual effects. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on November 16, 2018, finding petitioners entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 12, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation. The parties agreed to a total award of $52,044.12. This amount included a lump sum payment of $50,000.00 to petitioners as guardians/conservators of A.H.'s estate, and a lump sum payment of $2,044.12 to satisfy a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Decision Awarding Damages on June 21, 2019, awarding the agreed-upon amounts. The decision noted that no payments would be made until petitioners provided documentation of their appointment as guardians/conservators of A.H.'s estate. Petitioners were represented by Rudolph L. Massa of Massa Law Group, and respondent was represented by Traci R. Patton of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioners alleged that A.H. developed vasovagal syncope following Tdap and HPV vaccinations on August 19, 2016, resulting in a fall, concussion, and disfigurement. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation, stating that the vasovagal syncope occurred within one hour of vaccination, met the criteria for a Table injury, and had no apparent alternative cause. The respondent also agreed that A.H. experienced more than six months of residual effects. The case was decided based on a stipulation and proffer. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on November 16, 2018, and a Damages Decision on June 21, 2019. The award totaled $52,044.12, consisting of $50,000.00 for A.H.'s injuries and $2,044.12 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. Petitioners were represented by Rudolph L. Massa, and respondent by Traci R. Patton.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00193-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-02-22
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/16/2018) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 29 Filed 02/22/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-0193V
Filed: November 16, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
WILLIAM HENDERSON and RHONDA
HENDERSON, as the Natural Parents
and Guardians of A.H., a minor, Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
Petitioners, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria
v. acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine;
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Rudolph L. Massa, Massa Law Group, Pittsburg, PA, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On February 7, 2018, William and Rhonda Henderson (“petitioners”) filed a
petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42
U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”) on behalf of their minor daughter, A.H.
Petitioners allege that A.H. developed vasovagal syncope upon receiving tetanus-
diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccines on
August 19, 2016, which resulted in “residual effects and complications of a fall and
1 The undersigned intends to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. This
means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine
Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the
disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned
agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from
public access. Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this
case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management
and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
1

Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 29 Filed 02/22/19 Page 2 of 2
associated concussion.” See Petition at 1-4. Specifically, petitioners alleged that A.H.
continues to suffer a “lump on her head, i.e., she remains disfigured” as a result of the
syncope she suffered following her vaccinations. Id. at 4. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 15, 2018, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he
concedes that petitioners are entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule
4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, respondent states “that petitioners have satisfied the
criteria set forth in the recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the
Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (QAI), which afford petitioners a presumption of
causation because the onset of A.H.’s vasovagal syncope occurred within one hour
after a Tdap and/or HPV vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at
5. Respondent further agrees that “A.H. experienced more than six months of residual
effects of her vasovagal syncope.” Id.
In view of respondent’s position and the evidence of record, the
undersigned finds that petitioners are entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
2

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00193-1
Date issued/filed: 2019-06-21
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/15/2019) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/21/19 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-0193V
Filed: April 15, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
WILLIAM HENDERSON and RHONDA
HENDERSON, as the Natural Parents
and Guardians of A.H., a minor,
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
Petitioners,
Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
v.
Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
Vasovagal Syncope
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Rudolph L. Massa, Massa Law Group, Pittsburg, PA, for petitioners.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On February 7, 2018, William and Rhonda Henderson (“petitioners”) filed a
petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42
U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”) on behalf of their minor daughter, A.H.
Petitioners allege that A.H. developed vasovagal syncope upon receiving tetanus-
diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccines on
August 19, 2016, which resulted in “residual effects and complications of a fall and
associated concussion.” Petition at 1-4. Specifically, petitioners alleged that A.H.
continues to suffer a “lump on her head, i.e., she remains disfigured” as a result of the
1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with
Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims'
website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/21/19 Page 2 of 5
syncope she suffered following her vaccinations. Id. at 4. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 16, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioners
entitled to compensation. On April 12, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioners should be awarded a total of $52,044.12,
representing $50,000.00 to petitioners and $2,044.12 to satisfy a Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Medicaid lien. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, respondent represented that
petitioners agree with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, the
undersigned finds that petitioners are entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioners the following:
(1) A lump sum payment of $50,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners
as guardians/conservators of A.H.’s estate. No payments shall be made until
petitioners provide respondent with documentation establishing that they have
been appointed as the guardians/conservators of A.H.’s estate; and
(2) A lump sum payment of $2,044.12, representing compensation for satisfaction of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioners
and to:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Program Integrity
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105
CIS#: 830170479
Petitioners agree to endorse this payment to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under
§ 15(a).
The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/21/19 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
WILLIAM HENDERSON and RHONDA
)
HENDERSON, as the Natural Parents and
)
Guardians of A.H., a minor,
) No. 18-193V
) Chief Special Master Dorsey
Petitioners,
) ECF
v.
)
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
)
SERVICES,
)
)
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On November 15, 2018, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was
appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on November 16, 2018, Chief
Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to
vaccine compensation for her vasovagal syncope and resulting sequelae.
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$50,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), with the exception of the reimbursement of the Medicaid
lien, below. Petitioners agree.
Respondent further proffers that petitioners should be awarded funds to satisfy a
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien in the amount of $2,044.12, which represents full
satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
payments that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made to or on behalf of A.H. from the

Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/21/19 Page 4 of 5
date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of her
vaccine-related injury suffered on or about April 19, 2016, under Title XIX of the Social
Security Act. Petitioners agree.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through
two lump sum payments as described below:
(1) A lump sum payment of $50,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners
as guardians/conservators of A.H.’s estate.1 No payments shall be made until
petitioners provide respondent with documentation establishing that they have
been appointed as the guardians/conservators of A.H.’s estate; and
(2) A lump sum payment of $2,044.12, representing compensation for satisfaction of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioners
and to:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Program Integrity
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105
CIS#: 830170479
Petitioners agree to endorse this payment to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to move the
Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.

Case 1:18-vv-00193-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/21/19 Page 5 of 5
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ Traci R. Patton
TRACI R. PATTON
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 353-1589
Dated: April 12, 2019