Cheree Dowdell v. HHS - Influenza, lichen planus pigmentosus and dermatosis (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On September 28, 2018, Cheree Dowdell filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 9, 2015, caused her to suffer from lichen planus pigmentosus and dermatosis. The respondent denied that the vaccine caused these conditions or significantly aggravated any pre-existing injury, and also denied that Petitioner's current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
Despite these denials, the parties filed a stipulation on October 2, 2023, recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.
The stipulation provided for a lump sum payment of $15,000.00, payable to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The parties agreed to waive their right to seek review, allowing for expedited entry of judgment.
Petitioner was represented by Howard Scott Gold of Gold Law Firm, and Respondent was represented by Jamica Marie Littles of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Cheree Dowdell alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 9, 2015, caused her to suffer from lichen planus pigmentosus and dermatosis. Respondent denied causation and aggravation. The parties reached a stipulation for compensation, and the Special Master adopted it. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset, symptoms, tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. The award was a lump sum of $15,000.00 for all damages. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued the decision based on the stipulation on October 27, 2023. Petitioner's counsel was Howard Scott Gold, and Respondent's counsel was Jamica Marie Littles.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01514