VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01489
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01489
Petitioner: Constance Connor
Filed: 2018-09-27
Decided: 2021-04-26
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-20
Condition: bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular pressure, and left heel pain, and left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 240000

AI-assisted case summary:
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 field:
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.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01489-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-04-26
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/24/2021) regarding 67 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (Attachments: # (1) Appendix Joint Stipulation) (jmw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:18-vv-01489-UNJ Document 68 Filed 04/26/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CONSTANCE CONNOR, * No. 18-1489V
* Special Master Christian J. Moran
Petitioner, *
* Filed: March 24, 2021
v. *
* Stipulation; Influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * bilateral adhesive capsulitis;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * hyperthyroidism; elevated
* intraocular pressure; heel pain;
Respondent. * shoulder injury related to vaccine
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * administration (“SIRVA”).
John Taylor, Zaytoun Law Firm, Raleigh, NC, for Petitioner;
Christine Becer, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On March 24, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Constance Connor on September 27, 2018.
Petitioner alleged that an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 20,
2015, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R.
§100.3(a), caused her to suffer from bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism,
elevated intraocular pressure, and left heel pain. In amended petition, petitioner
also alleged that she sustained a left should injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”). 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.
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-01489-UNJ Document 68 Filed 04/26/21 Page 2 of 2
Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from
SIRVA, bilateral adhesive capsulitis, hyperthyroidism, elevated intraocular
pressure, and left heel pain, or any other injury.
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 $240,000.00 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