Jonnie Brown v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's palsy (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Jonnie Brown, the Petitioner, filed a petition on January 27, 2022, alleging that she developed Bell's palsy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on September 20, 2020. The Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Petitioner's condition or any other injury.
Despite the denial, the parties reached a stipulation on May 16, 2025, recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.
Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $60,000.00, to be paid via ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. This amount is intended to compensate for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
The parties agreed to expedite the entry of judgment by waiving their right to seek review. Ronald Craig Homer represented the Petitioner, and Rachelle Bishop represented the Respondent.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Jonnie Brown alleged Bell's palsy following an influenza vaccine administered on September 20, 2020. Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to a settlement, and Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner $60,000.00 as compensation for all damages. The stipulation was filed on May 16, 2025. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer, and Respondent was represented by Rachelle Bishop.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00080