Janie Miller v. HHS - Influenza, leukocytoclastic vasculitis (2024)

Janie Miller, born in 1952, filed a petition for vaccine compensation on March 5, 2018, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 1, 2016, caused her to develop leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV). Approximately 12 days after vaccination, Ms.

Miller noticed a sore on her right foot that developed into a rash on both feet. She was seen by an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who noted petechiae on her feet and recommended an emergency room visit, which records do not confirm she attended.

Ms. Miller later saw Dr.

Douglas Thompson for the rash, which had been present for five days. Issues addressed during that visit included tiredness, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

A punch biopsy performed on November 18, 2016, by Dr. Michael Chen, with findings interpreted by dermatopathologist Dr.

Julia Cruz, were strongly suggestive of LCV. Ms.

Miller was prescribed prednisone. In December 2016, she fainted and was hospitalized; her LCV lesions were healing.

A rheumatologist, Dr. Kevin Schlessel, noted no obvious etiology for the LCV and no evidence of systemic vasculitis.

In January 2017, Ms. Miller was hospitalized again after an ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

A radiologist later noted these events occurred in the setting of an acute inflammatory condition secondary to LCV and elevated BMI. Ms.

Miller was placed on anticoagulation therapy and steroids. Petitioner's counsel was Louis P.

McFadden, Jr. of McFadden Law Firm P.C. Respondent's counsel included Zoë Wade from the U.S.

Department of Justice. Special Master Christian J.

Moran issued a decision on March 7, 2024, denying compensation. Ms.

Miller sought review of this decision, and Judge Eleni M. Roumel of the U.S.

Court of Federal Claims issued a memorandum and order on September 20, 2024, denying the motion for review and sustaining the Special Master's decision. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of the vaccine's alleged causation or detail the specific peptides involved in the molecular mimicry theory.

The public decision does not describe any specific diagnostic tests performed for immune complexes, nor does it detail the specific treatment protocols beyond prednisone and anticoagulation therapy. The public decision does not name treating physicians beyond those involved in her initial care and diagnosis of LCV and DVT/PE.

The public decision does not mention any award amount as the claim was denied.