Carmen C. Salas v. HHS - Influenza, optic acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement (AIBSE) (2022)

Carmen C. Salas filed a petition on February 11, 2022, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Ms. Salas alleged that she suffered from optic acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement (AIBSE) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 14, 2017.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the alleged AIBSE or any other injury, and denied that Ms. Salas's current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties entered into a joint stipulation dated February 8, 2022, agreeing that the issues could be settled and that compensation should be awarded. Special Master Katherine E.

Oler reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision. The stipulation awarded Carmen C.

Salas a lump sum of $95,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under the program. The decision was issued on March 14, 2022, and judgment was to be entered accordingly.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the condition, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury. Petitioner was represented by Roberto E.

Ruiz-Comas of RC Legal & Litigation Services PSC, and Respondent was represented by Lara A. Englund of the U.S.

Department of Justice.