VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00469
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00469
Petitioner: Robert Manzella
Filed: 2013-07-11
Decided: 2014-10-24
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2011-10-18
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 525000

AI-assisted case summary:
Robert Manzella filed a petition on July 11, 2013, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccination received on October 18, 2011, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). He further alleged that he experienced residual effects from these conditions for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccination caused the alleged conditions. On October 2, 2014, both parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. As per the stipulation, Mr. Manzella was awarded a lump sum of $525,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. The attorneys involved were Robert B. Sickels of Sommers, Schwartz, P.C. for the petitioner and Debra A. Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice for the respondent. The decision was issued on October 24, 2014.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Robert Manzella alleged that an influenza vaccination on October 18, 2011, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with residual effects lasting over six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation on October 2, 2014, which Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted on October 24, 2014. The stipulation resulted in a compensated outcome with a lump sum award of $525,000.00. The public text does not detail the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or the basis for the stipulation beyond the parties' agreement. Attorneys for petitioner were Robert B. Sickels and for respondent Debra A. Filteau Begley.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00469-0
Date issued/filed: 2014-10-24
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/03/2014) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00469-UNJ Document 33 Filed 10/24/14 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-469V
Filed: October 3, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
ROBERT MANZELLA, *
* Special Master Dorsey
Petitioner, *
*
v. *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Trivalent Influenza vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS);
* Chronic Inflammatory
Respondent. * Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
* (CIDP)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Robert B. Sickels, Sommers, Schwartz, P.C., Southfield, MI, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION1
On July 11, 2013, Robert Manzella (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged
that he developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) that was caused in fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccination that he
received on October 18, 2011. See Petition at 1-3. Petitioner further alleged that he experienced
the residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Id. at 5.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:13-vv-00469-UNJ Document 33 Filed 10/24/14 Page 2 of 7
On October 2, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation, stating that a decision should be
entered awarding compensation.
Respondent denies that petitioner’s GBS and/or CIDP, or any other condition, was
caused-in-fact by his flu vaccination. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as
the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $525,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount
represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a).
Stipulation ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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