VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00654
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00654
Petitioner: Karen Woolley
Filed: 2014-07-25
Decided: 2015-09-08
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-09-09
Condition: Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 143383

AI-assisted case summary:
Karen Woolley filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered the Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) causally related to an influenza vaccine she received on September 9, 2013. She further alleged that she experienced the residual effects of GBS for more than six months. The respondent denied that the influenza vaccination caused her GBS or any other injury. However, the parties reached a settlement agreement. On June 16, 2015, the court issued a decision awarding compensation based on a joint stipulation. The respondent agreed to pay Karen Woolley a lump sum of $125,000.00 for all damages. Subsequently, on August 13, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs. They agreed upon an award of $18,363.82 for attorney's fees and costs, and $19.76 for costs paid by petitioner, for a total award of $18,383.58. The court found this amount to be reasonable and awarded the total sum, with a portion payable to petitioner and counsel jointly, and a smaller portion solely to petitioner. The case was compensated.

Theory of causation field:
unclear

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00654-0
Date issued/filed: 2015-07-17
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/16/2015) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell) (mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-00654-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/17/15 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-654V
Filed: June 16, 2015
Unpublished
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KAREN WOOLLEY, *
*
Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;
* Influenza Vaccine or Flu Vaccine;
* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Miller Fisher Syndrome; A Variant of
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * GBS; Special Processing Unit (“SPU”);
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amber Wilson, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, (DC) Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Justine Walters, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On July 25, 2014, Karen Woolley filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 [the
“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered the Miller Fisher
variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) causally related to an adverse reaction to the
influenza vaccine she received on September 9, 2013. Petition, ¶¶ 2, 5-7; Stipulation,
filed June 15, 2015, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual
effects of GBS for more than six months. Petition, ¶ 8. Respondent denies that the
influenza vaccination caused petitioner’s GBS or any other injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post it 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)). 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 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2006).

Case 1:14-vv-00654-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/17/15 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. Stipulation, ¶ 7. On
June 15, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and
describing the settlement terms.
Respondent agrees to pay petitioner a lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a
check payable to petitioner, Karen Woolley. Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents
compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Id.
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the
amount and on the terms set forth therein. In the absence of a motion for review filed
pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in
accordance with this decision.3
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing
the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
2

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CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0000665544--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2340 FFiilleedd 0067//1157//1155 PPaaggee 24 ooff 57

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CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0000665544--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2340 FFiilleedd 0067//1157//1155 PPaaggee 46 ooff 57

CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0000665544--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2340 FFiilleedd 0067//1157//1155 PPaaggee 57 ooff 57

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00654-1
Date issued/filed: 2015-09-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/17/2015) regarding 33 DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-00654-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/08/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-654V
Filed: August 17, 2015
Unpublished
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KAREN WOOLLEY, *
*
Petitioner, *
v. *
* Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amber Wilson, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, (DC) Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Justine Walters, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On July 25, 2014, Karen Woolley filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 [the
“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered the Miller Fisher
variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) causally related to an adverse reaction to the
influenza vaccine she received on September 9, 2013. Petition, ¶¶ 2, 5-7; Stipulation,
filed June 15, 2015, ¶¶ 2, 4. On June 16, 2015, I issued a decision awarding
compensation to petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to 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)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 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 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2006).

Case 1:14-vv-00654-UNJ Document 36 Filed 09/08/15 Page 2 of 2
On August 13, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Facts Regarding Final
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an
award of $18,363.82 for attorney’s fees and costs and an award of $19.76 for costs paid
by petitioner for a total award of $18,383.58. In compliance with General Order #9,
petitioner has filed a statement indicating she incurred $19.76 in out-of-pocket
expenses.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). I find the proposed amount to be reasonable.
Accordingly, I award the total $18,383.58 as follows:
1. an award of $18,363.82 in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner
and petitioner’s counsel, Amber D. Wilson, and
2. an award of $19.76 in the form of a check solely payable to petitioner.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
3 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).
2