{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-1","petitioner_identifier":"M.L.","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (minor - exact age not in source, verified)","vaccine_type":"diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP)","vaccination_date":"2022-01-24","condition_raw":"intramuscular MRSA abscess / nonspecific mass on left leg","condition_category":"other","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":60087.45,"decision_date":"2025-01-23","extraction_version":"manual-supplement-redo-2026-05-normal09","extracted_at":"2026-05-04 03:25:37","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"DTaP vaccine on January 24, 2022 causing intramuscular MRSA abscess/nonspecific left-leg mass in minor M.L.; exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded mass at same vaccination site, no identified alternative cause, and severity via hospitalization/surgical intervention or residual effects. Award current outlay $60,087.45: $38,000 annuity purchase for pain/suffering plus $22,087.45 North Carolina Medicaid lien; future annuity payments scheduled 2042/2045/2048. SM Thomas L. Gowen; petition March 31, 2023; entitlement April 5, 2024; damages January 23, 2025.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2023-03-31","case_summary":"On March 31, 2023, Venetia Royster filed a petition on behalf of her minor daughter, M.L., alleging that M.L. developed an intramuscular MRSA abscess or nonspecific mass at the site of a DTaP vaccination administered on January 24, 2022.\n\nRespondent conceded entitlement. The concession stated that M.L. developed a nonspecific mass on the left leg that was more likely than not caused by the DTaP vaccine given at that same location, that no other causes had been identified, and that the severity requirement was met through hospitalization and surgical intervention or residual effects. The public proffer does not state M.L.'s exact age, the full hospital course, operative details, or later functional recovery.\n\nSpecial Master Thomas L. Gowen found entitlement on April 5, 2024. On January 23, 2025, he adopted the parties' damages proffer. The award consisted of $38,000.00 to purchase an annuity for pain and suffering, with scheduled future payments in 2042, 2045, and 2048, and $22,087.45 to satisfy a North Carolina Medicaid lien. The proffer noted that when M.L. receives the future annuity payments she will be an adult, and that a North Carolina guardian ad litem would be required for approval. M.L. was represented by Heather Pearlman.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Thomas L. Gowen","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Nancy R. Meyers","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Turning Point Litigation","petitioner_attorney_location":"Greensboro, NC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|nancy-meyers|","firm_canonical_key":"turning-point-litigation","package_title":"ROYSTER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-0","title":"ROYSTER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC RULING (Originally filed: 04/05/2024) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (hs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-05-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":237333,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-1","title":"ROYSTER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/25/2025) regarding 41 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2026-03-04","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-2","title":"ROYSTER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/23/2025) regarding 33 DECISION on Proffer. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (hs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2026-03-12","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":415645,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword ' proffer'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00460-2"}]}