{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-2","petitioner_identifier":"Paul Drobbin","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":72.0,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2011-11-18","condition_raw":"small fiber neuropathy","condition_category":"small_fiber_neuropathy","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":2102629,"decision_date":"2023-01-05","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T04:42:13.760739+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":30,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Paul Drobbin alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on November 18, 2011, caused him to develop small fiber neuropathy. The public decision does not specify the exact theory of causation beyond stating it was an 'off-Table' injury. Petitioner's experts, Dr. Arthur Brawer and Dr. Allan Rubenstein, opined that the flu vaccine was causally related to an autoimmune neuropathy, citing molecular mimicry as a potential mechanism where vaccine antigens cross-react with self-antigens. Respondent's expert, Dr. Peter Donofrio, questioned the link, suggesting alternative causes like B6 toxicity or pre-existing conditions, and noted the lack of definitive biomarkers for vaccine-induced autoimmune neuropathy. Special Master Herbrina Sanders found that Petitioner established by a preponderance of the evidence that the flu vaccine was a substantial factor in the development of his small fiber neuropathy, rejecting Respondent's alternative causation arguments. The case proceeded to damages, resulting in an award of $2,102,629.17, including $250,000.00 for pain and suffering, $70,815.17 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $1,781,814.00 for loss of earnings. The decision date for entitlement was January 21, 2020, and the final decision on damages was January 5, 2023. Attorneys involved were Martin J. Rubenstein for Petitioner and Ryan D. Pyles for Respondent.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2014-03-24","case_summary":"On March 24, 2014, Paul Drobbin filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 18, 2011, caused him to develop small fiber neuropathy. After an entitlement hearing, Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued a ruling on January 21, 2020, finding that the flu vaccination was a substantial factor in the development of Mr. Drobbin's small fiber neuropathy and that the respondent failed to establish an alternative cause. The case then proceeded to damages. On November 30, 2022, Special Master Sanders issued a decision awarding damages based on a proffer agreed upon by the parties. Mr. Drobbin was awarded a total of $2,102,629.17. This amount included $250,000.00 for pain and suffering, $70,815.17 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $1,781,814.00 for loss of earnings. Petitioner was represented by Martin J. Rubenstein, and Respondent was represented by Ryan D. Pyles. The decision was finalized on January 5, 2023.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Martin Jeffrey Rubenstein","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Martin Rubenstein","petitioner_attorney_location":"Staten Island, NY","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|martin-rubenstein|","firm_canonical_key":"martin-rubenstein","package_title":"DROBBIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-0","title":"DROBBIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 1/21/2020) regarding 94 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (rs) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-07-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":563687,"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_14-vv-00225/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-1","title":"DROBBIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/28/2022) regarding 108 DECISION of Special Master - Interim Attorneys' Fees. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (arm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-05-13","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-2","title":"DROBBIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/30/2022) regarding 122 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (rig) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-01-05","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":325953,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-2"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00225-3","title":"DROBBIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/17/2024) regarding 129 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (krt) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-11-15","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}