{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-1","petitioner_identifier":"Sherry Salmins","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":26.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"HPV","vaccination_date":"2009-01-27","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":1405466,"decision_date":"2015-07-14","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:42:25.933836+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":1,"time_to_onset_days":7,"theory_of_causation":"HPV Gardasil Jan 27, 2009 → GBS (onset ~1 week post-vaccination; Feb 2, 2009 ED presentation; IVIG treatment). SM Dorsey PUBLISHED March 31, 2014: COMPENSATED (all Althen prongs; molecular mimicry; treating physicians; no alt cause). Damages June 15, 2015: $1,405,466.39 lump sum + annuity. All DB fields correct.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2011-03-07","case_summary":"Sherry Salmins filed a petition on March 7, 2011, alleging that a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) she received on January 27, 2009 caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome. Petitioner developed flu-like symptoms within days of vaccination, progressing to ascending numbness and weakness; on February 2, 2009, she presented to the emergency department where she was diagnosed with mild GBS. By February 5, 2009, she had developed bilateral leg weakness and was admitted for IVIG treatment. She later underwent inpatient rehabilitation and experienced residual neuropathic symptoms.\n\nRespondent argued that petitioner did not have GBS and alternatively that her neurological complaints stemmed from pre-existing conditions including polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, and pre-diabetes. Special Master Dorsey issued a published Ruling on Entitlement on March 31, 2014, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. The SM found that treating physicians consistently diagnosed petitioner with GBS and that petitioner's expert, Dr. Nizar Souayah, plausibly explained causation through molecular mimicry — the same mechanism accepted for c. jejuni-induced GBS. All three Althen prongs were satisfied: a credible causation theory, a logical sequence of cause and effect supported by treating physician opinions, and medically acceptable timing (onset approximately one week post-vaccination). Respondent failed to establish an alternative cause, as no pre-existing condition could cause GBS.\n\nOn June 15, 2015, Special Master Dorsey issued a Decision on Damages awarding petitioner a lump sum of $1,405,466.39, representing first-year life care expenses ($22,098.70), lost earnings ($1,198,320.52), pain and suffering ($180,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($5,047.17). Petitioner additionally received an annuity for future life care needs in subsequent years. There were no outstanding Medicaid liens.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Nora Beth Dorsey","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Christina Ciampolillo; Ronald C. Homer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Boston, MA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|christina-ciampolillo|ronald-homer|","firm_canonical_key":"conway-homer","package_title":"SALMINS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-0","title":"SALMINS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/31/2014) regarding 81 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlj) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2014-04-21","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":305938,"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_11-vv-00140/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-1","title":"SALMINS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 6/15/2015) regarding 119 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (ca1) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2015-07-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":234569,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00140-2","title":"SALMINS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/10/2016) regarding 128 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlf) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2016-03-02","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}