Helen Kearns v. HHS - Pneumococcal, connective tissue disease (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Helen Kearns filed a petition on May 8, 2018, alleging that the pneumococcal conjugate (Prevnar13) vaccine she received on May 28, 2015, caused her to suffer from connective tissue disease. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the vaccine caused her condition. The parties reached a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J.
Moran adopted as the decision of the court. The stipulation awarded Helen Kearns a lump sum payment of $92,500.00, payable to her, as compensation for all damages.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, or expert testimony.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Helen Kearns alleged that the pneumococcal conjugate (Prevnar13) vaccine administered on May 28, 2015, caused her to develop connective tissue disease, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation, adopted by Special Master Christian J. Moran on October 29, 2021, resulting in a $92,500.00 lump sum award. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert opinions, or clinical evidence presented.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00654