Sharon Campbell v. HHS - Influenza, vasovagal presyncope leading to a fall and subsequent fracture of her tibia and fibula (2023)

Sharon Campbell, a 64-year-old histology specialist, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 3, 2020. She alleged that on September 17, 2018, after receiving an influenza vaccine, she experienced a vasovagal presyncopal episode, leading to a fall down stairs and subsequent fractures of her tibia and fibula.

Initially, she sought compensation for a Table injury of vasovagal syncope. However, the public decision does not describe the specific medical records or expert opinions presented to support this claim, other than noting that the Table injury requires loss of consciousness, which Ms.

Campbell did not experience. Consequently, her Table claim was dismissed.

Ms. Campbell also pursued an off-Table claim, alleging a vasovagal reaction caused by the vaccine that led to her fall and injuries.

The Special Master reviewed the medical records, which indicated that approximately fifteen minutes after vaccination, Ms. Campbell felt dizzy while walking down stairs, causing her to fall.

She was evaluated by emergency room physicians and an orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed a fractured left tibial plateau and attributed the fall to vasovagal presyncope. She underwent surgery for open reduction and internal fixation, followed by physical therapy.

Over the subsequent months, she experienced persistent pain, decreased range of motion, and hardware issues, leading to further surgical interventions, including a debridement, removal of hardware, implantation of a bone cement spacer, and ultimately a total knee arthroplasty. The medical records detail multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and extensive physical therapy over an extended period.

The Special Master found that the evidence established that the influenza vaccination could cause a vasovagal response, that this response led to dizziness, wooziness, and weakness causing the fall, that the onset of symptoms occurred within minutes of vaccination, and that her injury resulted in inpatient hospitalization and surgical intervention, satisfying the Vaccine Act's severity requirement. The case proceeded to a damages award.

On February 3, 2023, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded Ms.

Campbell $190,000.00 for actual pain and suffering. The decision noted that while the initial injury was transient, its impact was uncommonly severe, justifying the award, which compensated for actual pain and suffering and did not require reduction to present value.

Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie of Howie Law, PC, and Respondent was represented by Amanda Pasciuto of the U.S. Department of Justice.