Michele Hunter v. HHS - Influenza, cellulitis and/or panniculitis (2022)

Michele Hunter filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 24, 2020. Ms.

Hunter alleged that she suffered cellulitis and/or panniculitis as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 20, 2019. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's condition.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on December 21, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Special Master Daniel T.

Horner found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Ms.

Hunter was awarded a lump sum of $41,000.00, payable to petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages available under the program. The decision was entered on January 18, 2022.

Petitioner's counsel was Paul R. Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP.

Respondent's counsel was Benjamin Warder of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert testimony. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.