Jessica Smith v. HHS - Pneumococcal, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (2023)

On June 8, 2021, Jessica Smith filed a petition alleging that she suffered from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) as a result of a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate (Prevnar 13) vaccine she received on March 29, 2019. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged CRPS or its residual effects, and denied that the vaccine caused any other injury or that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation recommending an award of compensation. The stipulation, filed on October 23, 2023, stated that Jessica Smith would receive a lump sum of $55,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the law.

This amount represents a settlement of liability and damages. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a decision based on this stipulation on November 20, 2023.

The case was treated as a Table claim, as the Prevnar 13 vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Petitioner was represented by Anne Carrion Toale of Maglio Christopher and Toale.

Respondent was represented by Joseph Adam Lewis of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The stipulation included a release of all claims against the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to the alleged injury from the vaccination.