VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01880 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01880 Petitioner: Shawna Huhn-Seto Filed: 2023-10-25 Decided: 2026-03-04 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-11-18 Condition: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and significant aggravation of pre-existing migraine condition Outcome: dismissed Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: On October 25, 2023, Shawna Huhn-Seto filed a Vaccine Act petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 18, 2020 caused anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and significantly aggravated her pre-existing migraine condition. The public dismissal decision is limited. It does not describe her pre-vaccination migraine history, the timing of the vision injury, testing, treatment, expert submissions, or respondent's medical theory in detail. The record shows that petitioner later filed an unopposed motion for a decision dismissing the case. In that motion, counsel represented that the evidence was insufficient to prove entitlement and that no supportive expert report had been filed. Special Master Herbrina D. Sanders Young granted the motion on March 4, 2026, denied compensation, and dismissed the case for insufficient proof. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on November 18, 2020, allegedly causing anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and significant aggravation of pre-existing migraine condition; DISMISSED/DENIED. Public decision gives limited medical detail. Petitioner moved for dismissal because evidence was insufficient to prove entitlement and no supportive expert report had been filed. No compensation. Special Master Herbrina D. Sanders Young, petition filed October 25, 2023; decision March 4, 2026. Attorney: Edward Kraus, Kraus Law Group, Chicago IL. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01880-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-30 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/4/2026) regarding 29 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (gf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01880-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/30/26 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: March 4, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SHAWNA HUHN-SETO, * * Petitioner, * No. 23-1880V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Edward Kraus, Kraus Law Group, LLC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DISMISSAL DECISION1 On October 25, 2023, Shawna Huhn-Seto (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleged that the administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 18, 2020, caused her to suffer from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and significantly aggravated her pre-existing migraine condition. Id. On March 2, 2026, Petitioner filed an unopposed motion for a decision dismissing her petition. ECF No. 28. Petitioner acknowledged judgment will result against her and will end her rights in the Vaccine Program. Id. at 1. Petitioner further acknowledged that her attorney may file for attorneys’ fees and costs following the dismissal of her case. Id. She also stated her intent to preserve her right to file a civil action in the future pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(2). Id. at 2. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa- 10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act,” “the Act,” or “the Program”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act. Case 1:23-vv-01880-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/30/26 Page 2 of 2 To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that she suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to the vaccination, or (2) that she suffered an injury that was caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that Petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence that Petitioner’s alleged injury was caused by the flu vaccine. Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim, and Petitioner has not filed a supportive opinion from an expert witness. Therefore, this case must be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Herbrina D. S. Young Herbrina D. S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01880-cl-extra-11297250 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-30 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10830472 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: March 4, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SHAWNA HUHN-SETO, * * Petitioner, * No. 23-1880V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Edward Kraus, Kraus Law Group, LLC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DISMISSAL DECISION 1 On October 25, 2023, Shawna Huhn-Seto (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleged that the administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 18, 2020, caused her to suffer from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and significantly aggravated her pre-existing migraine condition. Id. On March 2, 2026, Petitioner filed an unopposed motion for a decision dismissing her petition. ECF No. 28. Petitioner acknowledged judgment will result against her and will end her rights in the Vaccine Program. Id. at 1. Petitioner further acknowledged that her attorney may file for attorneys’ fees and costs following the dismissal of her case. Id. She also stated her intent to preserve her right to file a civil action in the future pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(2). Id. at 2. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 The Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa- 10 et seq. (hereinafter “Vaccine Act,” “the Act,” or “the Program”). Hereafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of the Act. To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either (1) that she suffered a “Table Injury”—i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table—corresponding to the vaccination, or (2) that she suffered an injury that was caused by a vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A), 11(c)(1). An examination of the record did not uncover any evidence that Petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record does not contain persuasive evidence that Petitioner’s alleged injury was caused by the flu vaccine. Under the Act, petitioners may not be given a Program award based solely on their claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by medical records or the opinion of a competent physician. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the medical records are insufficient to prove Petitioner’s claim, and Petitioner has not filed a supportive opinion from an expert witness. Therefore, this case must be dismissed for insufficient proof. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Herbrina D. S. Young Herbrina D. S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2