Constance Connor v. HHS - Influenza, bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular pressure, and left heel pain, and left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Constance Connor filed a petition for compensation on September 27, 2018, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 20, 2015, caused her to suffer from bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular pressure, and left heel pain. In an amended petition, she further alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
Petitioner contended that these conditions resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months. The influenza vaccine is listed in the Vaccine Injury Table.
Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injuries, including SIRVA, bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular pressure, and left heel pain. Despite the denial, the parties reached a joint stipulation for compensation.
Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the Court's decision.
The stipulation awarded Constance Connor a lump sum payment of $240,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The decision was issued on April 26, 2021.
Petitioner was represented by John Taylor of Zaytoun Law Firm, and Respondent was represented by Christine Becer of the United States Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Constance Connor received an influenza vaccine on October 20, 2015. She alleged that this vaccine caused bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular pressure, left heel pain, and a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), with residual effects lasting more than six months. The influenza vaccine is contained within the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Special Master Christian J. Moran. The stipulation resulted in a lump sum award of $240,000.00 to the petitioner. The public decision does not detail the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or clinical findings supporting the alleged injuries or their link to the vaccine, beyond stating the conditions and the Table inclusion.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01489