VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00955
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00955
Petitioner: Cathryn Mong
Filed: 2017-09-14
Decided: 2017-09-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2012-09-04
Condition: narcolepsy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 125000

AI-assisted case summary:
Petitioner Cathryn Mong filed a claim alleging that she developed narcolepsy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on September 4, 2012. Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition. Despite the denial, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. Special Master Laura D. Millman reviewed the stipulation and found its terms to be reasonable. The court adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms. Mong $125,000.00 in compensation, representing all damages available under the program. The award was to be paid as a lump sum check payable to the petitioner. This decision was issued on September 14, 2017. Clifford J. Shoemaker represented the petitioner, and Christine M. Becer represented the respondent. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert testimony.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Cathryn Mong alleged that her September 4, 2012 influenza vaccine caused her narcolepsy. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to settle the case, and Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding $125,000.00 in total damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical evidence, expert testimony, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury. The award was based on the parties' agreement, not a finding of causation by the Special Master. Petitioner was represented by Clifford J. Shoemaker, and respondent by Christine M. Becer. The decision date was September 14, 2017.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00955-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-10-10
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/14/2017) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00955-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/10/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-955V
Filed: September 14, 2017
Not for Publication
*************************************
CATHRYN MONG, *
*
Petitioner, *
*
v. *
Damages decision based on
*
stipulation; influenza (flu) vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
narcolepsy
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
*************************************
Clifford J. Shoemaker, Vienna, VA, for petitioner.
Christine M. Becer, Washington, DC, for respondent.
MILLMAN, Special Master
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On September 14, 2017, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to
settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that she suffered narcolepsy
that was caused by her September 4, 2012 receipt of influenza (“flu”) vaccine. Respondent
denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s narcolepsy or any other injury. Nonetheless, the
parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this
case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal
Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat.
2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be
made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that
is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a
clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify
and move to delete such information prior to the document’s disclosure. If the special master, upon
review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special
master shall delete such material from public access.

Case 1:15-vv-00955-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/10/17 Page 2 of 7
The undersigned finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable. The court hereby
adopts the parties’ said stipulation, attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards a lump sum of
$125,000.00, representing reimbursement for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) (2012). The award shall be in the form of a check payable to petitioner in
the amount of $125,000.00.
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.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: September 14, 2017 s/ Laura D. Millman
Laura D. Millman
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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