{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381-1","petitioner_identifier":"Sharon Campbell","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":64.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-09-17","condition_raw":"vasovagal presyncope leading to a fall and subsequent fracture of her tibia and fibula","condition_category":"syncope","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":190000,"decision_date":"2023-02-03","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:18:38.092807+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Sharon Campbell, age 64, received an influenza vaccine on September 17, 2018. She alleged a vasovagal presyncopal episode approximately 15 minutes post-vaccination, leading to a fall and fracture of her tibia and fibula. The Special Master dismissed the Table claim for vasovagal syncope due to the absence of loss of consciousness. For the off-Table claim, the Special Master found entitlement based on a medical theory supported by literature (e.g., Braun, Crawford, Graham, Centeno, Whitledge) and the Institute of Medicine's conclusion that a causal relationship exists between vaccine injection and vasovagal syncope. The theory posited that the vaccine could elicit a vasovagal reaction, characterized by presyncope (dizziness, wooziness, weakness) even without loss of consciousness, which precipitated a fall and subsequent severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries (open reduction and internal fixation, debridement, hardware removal, total knee arthroplasty) and extensive physical therapy. The medical records, including those from treating physicians, supported a logical sequence of cause and effect, with symptoms occurring within minutes of vaccination and leading directly to the fall and subsequent complications. The injury met the severity requirement due to hospitalization and surgical intervention. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued the Entitlement Ruling on March 9, 2022, finding entitlement, and the Damages Decision on February 3, 2023, awarding $190,000.00 for actual pain and suffering. Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie (Howie Law, PC), and Respondent by Sarah Christina Duncan (initially) and Amanda Pasciuto (U.S. Department of Justice).","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-04-03","case_summary":"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.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Sharon Campbell","petitioner_attorney_name":"John Robert Howie","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Howie Law, PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dallas, TX","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:28","attorney_canonical_keys":"|john-howie|","firm_canonical_key":"howie-law","package_title":"CAMPBELL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381-0","title":"CAMPBELL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/09/2022) regarding 40 Ruling on Entitlement,, Damages Order,, Order on Motion for Summary Judgment, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-04-08","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":358153,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00381-1","title":"CAMPBELL v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/04/2023) regarding 55 DECISION of Special Master ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. 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