{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-1","petitioner_identifier":"Misty Stephens","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-12-20","condition_raw":"bursitis","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":127127,"decision_date":"2019-04-10","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:05:59.088245+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Misty Stephens alleged bursitis caused by an influenza vaccine administered on December 20, 2016. Respondent conceded causation-in-fact, finding that the preponderance of the medical evidence established the flu vaccine caused petitioner's bursitis, and that she suffered residual effects for more than six months. The respondent's Rule 4(c) report noted the injury was not consistent with SIRVA as pain radiated beyond the injection site. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or detailed clinical facts regarding onset or symptoms. Petitioner was awarded $127,127.86 as a lump sum payment. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey on April 10, 2019, based on a stipulation. Petitioner counsel was John Robert Howie, and respondent counsel was Mollie Danielle Gorney. The theory of causation was determined to be off-Table.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-02-08","case_summary":"Misty Stephens filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 8, 2018, alleging she suffered bursitis as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on December 20, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 4, 2019, conceding that Ms. Stephens was entitled to compensation. The respondent determined that while the injury was not consistent with a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) due to pain radiating beyond the injection site, the preponderance of the medical evidence established that her bursitis was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine. The respondent also agreed that the medical records demonstrated residual effects for more than six months, that the vaccine was administered in the United States, and that Ms. Stephens had not received other compensation for her injuries. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a ruling on entitlement on February 5, 2019, finding Ms. Stephens entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 10, 2019, Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a decision awarding damages. Based on a proffer agreed to by both parties, Ms. Stephens was awarded a lump sum payment of $127,127.86, representing compensation for all available damages. Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie of Howie Law, PC, and respondent was represented by Mollie Danielle Gorney of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Nora Beth Dorsey","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Misty Stephens","petitioner_attorney_name":"John Robert Howie","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Howie Law, PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dallas, TX","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:45:30","attorney_canonical_keys":"|john-howie|","firm_canonical_key":"howie-law","package_title":"STEPHENS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-0","title":"STEPHENS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/05/2019) regarding 32 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-03-13","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":218023,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-1","title":"STEPHENS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/05/2019) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-04-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":216675,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00201-2","title":"STEPHENS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/04/2019) regarding 40 DECISION of Special Master - Fees ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-04-24","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}