Rachel Zale v. HHS - Meningococcal, anterior uveitis (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Rachel Zale filed a petition on May 15, 2020, alleging that she suffered anterior uveitis as a result of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) she received on June 12, 2018. The MCV is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Petitioner's anterior uveitis and any alleged residual effects or other injury. Despite maintaining their respective positions, the parties agreed to settle the issues between them.
On April 6, 2023, they filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court.
Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $125,000.00, payable to Rachel Zale, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The decision was based on this stipulation, avoiding a contested hearing on causation.
Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A., and the respondent was represented by Voris Edward Johnson of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The public decision does not describe the onset, specific symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the medical expert witnesses involved in this case.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Rachel Zale alleged that she suffered anterior uveitis, an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, as a result of receiving a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on June 12, 2018. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for compensation, agreeing to settle the case. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey approved the stipulation, finding it reasonable. Petitioner was awarded $125,000.00 as a lump sum. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or the clinical progression of the injury. The case was resolved by stipulation, with the respondent not admitting that the MCV caused the injury. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, and the respondent by Voris Edward Johnson. The decision was issued on April 6, 2023.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00613