David DeOcampo v. HHS - Influenza, Bell's Palsy (2025)

David DeOcampo filed a petition on March 3, 2023, alleging that he suffered Bell's Palsy as a result of an influenza vaccine received on November 21, 2020. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused Petitioner's injury or that his current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation recommending an award of compensation. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Petitioner was awarded $30,000.00 as a lump sum payment to compensate for all damages. The parties jointly filed notice renouncing the right to seek review, expediting the entry of judgment.

Petitioner was represented by Catherine Wallace Costigan of Mctlaw, and Respondent was represented by Neil Bhargava of the U.S. Department of Justice.