VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00902
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00902
Petitioner: Patricia K. Patterson
Filed: 2013-11-13
Decided: 2015-06-26
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 500000

AI-assisted case summary:
Patricia K. Patterson filed a petition on November 13, 2013, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and related complications as a result of receiving an influenza ("flu") vaccine. The specific date of vaccination was not specified in the public text. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the respondent, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS and any related medical problems. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed on April 6, 2015, to settle the case. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. Under the stipulation, Petitioner was awarded a total of $500,000.00. This amount consisted of a lump sum of $460,396.07, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), and a lump sum of $39,603.93 to reimburse a State of New York Medicaid lien. The reimbursement for the lien was to be paid jointly to Petitioner and the New York State Department of Health. Separately, on June 3, 2015, counsel for both parties filed a joint stipulation regarding attorney's fees and costs. Special Master Corcoran approved a lump sum of $45,000.00 for attorney's fees and costs, payable jointly to Petitioner and her counsel, Matthew F. Belanger. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, or treatments. The public decision does not name any medical experts.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Patricia K. Patterson alleged that an influenza vaccine caused her Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The vaccination date was not specified in the public text. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation on April 6, 2015, to settle the case, which Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted. The stipulation resulted in an award of $500,000.00, comprising $460,396.07 for damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and $39,603.93 for reimbursement of a New York Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Petitioner and the New York State Department of Health. Attorney's fees and costs of $45,000.00 were awarded separately on June 3, 2015, payable jointly to Petitioner and her counsel, Matthew F. Belanger (Faraci Lange LLP). The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, medical experts, or clinical findings.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00902-0
Date issued/filed: 2015-04-29
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/08/2015) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ag) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00902-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/29/15 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-902V
(Not to be published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
PATRICIA K. PATTERSON, *
*
Petitioner, * Filed: April 8, 2015
*
v. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner
Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 13, 2013, Patricia K. Patterson filed a petition seeking compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).2 Petitioner alleges
that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) and related complications as a result of
receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, I will post this decision on the
United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, 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 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the posted decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of
confidential information. Specifically, under 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). Otherwise, the whole decision will
be available to the public. (Id.)
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.A. ' 300aa-10-' 300aa-34
(West 1991 & Supp. 2002). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A.
' 300aa.

Case 1:13-vv-00902-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/29/15 Page 2 of 7
Respondent denies that Petitioner’s GBS and any related medical problems were caused
by the receipt of the flu vaccine. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated
positions, agreed in a stipulation filed April 6, 2015 that the issues before them can be settled and
that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.
I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’
stipulation is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms
set forth therein.
The stipulation awards:
A lump sum of $460,396.07, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a); and
A lump sum of $39,603.93, which amounts represents reimbursement of a State of
New York Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to the Petitioner
and
New York State Department of Health
P.O. Box 415874
Boston, Massachusetts 02241-5874
Attn: Susan G. Fittos
Maestro File # 149640
Stipulation ¶ 8.
I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made
to Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the
clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice renouncing
their right to seek review.
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00902-1
Date issued/filed: 2015-06-26
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/03/2015) regarding 33 DECISION Fees Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ag) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00902-UNJ Document 36 Filed 06/26/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-902V
(Not to be published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
PATRICIA K. PATTERSON, *
* Filed: June 3, 2015
Petitioner, *
* Decision by Stipulation; Attorney’s
v. * Fees & Costs
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Matthew F. Belanger, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner
Linda Renzi, Washington, DC, for Respondent
ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS DECISION1
On November 13, 2013, Patricia Patterson filed a petition seeking compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (Athe Vaccine Program@). On April 6, 2015,
the parties filed a stipulation detailing an amount to be awarded to Petitioner. I subsequently
issued a decision finding the parties’ stipulation to be reasonable and granting Petitioner the
award outlined by the stipulation.
On June 3, 2015, counsel for both parties filed another joint stipulation, this time in
regards to attorney’s fees and costs. The parties have stipulated that Petitioner’s counsel should
receive a lump sum of $45,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, I will post this decision on the
United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, 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 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the posted decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of
confidential information. Specifically, under 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). Otherwise, the whole decision will
be available to the public. (Id.)

Case 1:13-vv-00902-UNJ Document 36 Filed 06/26/15 Page 2 of 2
counsel. This amount represents a sum to which respondent does not object. In addition, and in
compliance with General Order No. 9, Petitioner has represented that she did incur any
reimbursable costs in proceeding on this petition.
I approve the requested amount for attorney’s fees and costs as reasonable. Accordingly,
an award should be made in the form of a check in the amount of $45,000.00 payable jointly to
Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Matthew F. Belanger, Esq. 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.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their
right to seek review.