VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00654
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00654
Petitioner: Helen Kearns
Filed: 2018-05-08
Decided: 2021-10-29
Vaccine: pneumococcal conjugate (Prevnar13)
Vaccination date: 2015-05-28
Condition: connective tissue disease
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 92500

AI-assisted case summary:
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 field:
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.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00654-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-10-29
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/06/2021) regarding 98 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (jmw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00654-UNJ Document 102 Filed 10/29/21 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HELEN KEARNS, *
* No. 18-654V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. * Filed: October 6, 2021
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; pneumococcal conjugate
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (Prevnar13) vaccine; connective
* tissue disease.
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner;
Adriana Teitel, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On October 5, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Helen Kearns on May 8, 2018. Petitioner
alleged that the pneumococcal conjugate (Prevnar13) vaccine she received on May
28, 2015, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R.
§100.3(a), caused her to suffer from connective tissue disease. Petitioner further
alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil
action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
Respondent denies that the Prevnar13 vaccine caused petitioner to suffer
from connective tissue disease or any other injury.
1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.

Case 1:18-vv-00654-UNJ Document 102 Filed 10/29/21 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
A lump sum payment of $92,500.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that
would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
2

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