Krystel Hannon v. HHS - Tdap, radial neuritis (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Krystel Hannon, a 37-year-old home health nurse, filed a petition on February 10, 2023, alleging that a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on March 4, 2021, caused her to develop radial neuritis. Ms.
Hannon reported that approximately two days after her vaccination, she experienced left arm weakness and swelling, which progressed to pain and paresthesias down her arm. She also complained of her left shoulder being tender.
Her primary care provider diagnosed an adverse reaction to the Tdap vaccine and prescribed oral steroids. Subsequently, neurologist Dr.
John Pilch diagnosed left radial neuritis, noting pain, weakness, and dysfunction attributable to the brachial plexus, and prescribed medication. Ms.
Hannon continued to experience persistent symptoms and was treated by pain management specialist Dr. Ketan Jhunjhunwala, who also diagnosed left radial neuritis with possible involvement of other nerves, and orthopedist Dr.
David Brown, who diagnosed likely myositis and a possible rotator cuff problem. Ms.
Hannon received treatment for her condition for approximately fourteen months post-vaccination. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation.
The respondent concluded that Ms. Hannon's injury was consistent with brachial neuritis as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, citing pain in the left shoulder and affected arm occurring within the Table's timeframe, weak muscles supplied by more than one peripheral nerve, dysfunction attributable to the brachial plexus, and no other identified condition explaining her symptoms, with residual effects lasting more than six months.
The parties stipulated to damages. Special Master Christian J.
Moran issued a ruling on entitlement on June 7, 2024, finding Ms. Hannon entitled to compensation.
A subsequent decision on June 10, 2024, awarded Ms. Hannon $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,234.04 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $61,234.04, payable by check to Ms.
Hannon. Petitioner was represented by Bridget Candace McCullough of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Felicia Langel of the United States Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Krystel Hannon, age 37, received a Tdap vaccine on March 4, 2021. She alleged developing radial neuritis. The respondent conceded entitlement, finding the injury consistent with brachial neuritis as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent's report noted pain in the left shoulder and affected arm occurring within two to twenty-eight days post-vaccination, weak muscles supplied by more than one peripheral nerve, dysfunction attributable to the brachial plexus, and no other identified condition explaining the symptoms. The injury's residual effects lasted more than six months. The public text does not name specific experts for the petitioner or detail the mechanism of injury beyond its consistency with the Table. The parties stipulated to damages. Special Master Christian J. Moran issued a ruling on entitlement on June 7, 2024, and a decision awarding damages on June 10, 2024. The award included $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,234.04 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $61,234.04, payable to the petitioner. Petitioner's counsel was Bridget Candace McCullough, and respondent's counsel was Felicia Langel.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00197