Erica Schofield v. HHS - Influenza, vasovagal syncope (2020)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Erica Schofield filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 20, 2019, alleging that she suffered vasovagal syncope as a result of her November 1, 2016 influenza vaccination. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms.
Schofield's alleged syncope or any other injury. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case.
The stipulation stated that the influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table and that Ms. Schofield suffered residual effects of her injury for more than six months.
The respondent maintained its denial of causation but agreed to a settlement. Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision, awarding Ms. Schofield a lump sum of $110,000.00, payable by check, as compensation for all damages.
The decision was entered on January 22, 2020. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Mallori Browne Openchowski of the U.S.
Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, or treatments.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Erica Schofield alleged vasovagal syncope following an influenza vaccination on November 1, 2016. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case, acknowledging that the influenza vaccine is on the Vaccine Injury Table and that petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months. The stipulation was adopted by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran as the decision. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $110,000.00. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the specific reasoning for the settlement beyond the agreement to resolve the claim. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, and respondent by Mallori Browne Openchowski. The decision date was January 22, 2020.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00742