VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00956
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00956
Petitioner: Hannah Baker
Filed: 2021-09-03
Decided: 2021-10-08
Vaccine: meningococcal
Vaccination date: 2019-06-27
Condition: vasovagal syncope leading to a fall and fractured skull, traumatic subarachnoid hematoma, hyponatremia, pituitary injury with syndrome of inappropriate antiduretic hormone (“SIADH”), cerebral contusion, a blood clot, and personality changes from a traumatic brain injury
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Hannah Baker filed a petition on September 3, 2021, alleging that she suffered vasovagal syncope within one hour of receiving a meningococcal vaccine on June 27, 2019. This syncope led to a fall, resulting in a fractured skull, traumatic subarachnoid hematoma, hyponatremia, pituitary injury with SIADH, cerebral contusion, a blood clot, and personality changes from a traumatic brain injury. The respondent conceded that Ms. Baker is entitled to compensation, acknowledging that her condition meets the criteria for a Table injury under the revised Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, with onset within one hour of vaccination and no apparent alternative cause. The respondent also agreed that Ms. Baker experienced more than six months of residual effects. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master ruled that Ms. Baker is entitled to compensation.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00956-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-10-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/03/2021) regarding 37 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-00956-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/08/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-956V
UNPUBLISHED
HANNAH BAKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 3, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Meningococcal Vaccine;
Vasovagal Syncope
Respondent.
John D. Kassel, Kassel McVey Attorneys at Law, Columbia, SC, for Petitioner.
Katherine Carr Esposito, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On August 3, 2020, Hannah Baker filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a vasovagal syncope within one hour
of receiving a meningococcal vaccine on June 27, 2019, which led to a “fall and fractured
skull, traumatic subarachnoid hematoma, hyponatremia, pituitary injury with syndrome of
inappropriate antiduretic hormone (“SIADH”), cerebral contusion, a blood clot, and
personality changes from a traumatic brain injury.” Petition at 1. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On September 2, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he
concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule
1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required
to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-Government Act
of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-00956-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/08/21 Page 2 of 2
4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that Petitioner “has satisfied the criteria
set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table (‘Table’) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (‘QAI’), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of
vasovagal syncope occurs within one hour after a meningococcal vaccination, and there
is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 7-8. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner
experienced more than six months of residual effects. Id. at 8.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2