{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226-0","petitioner_identifier":"Connie M. Johns","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2012-12-10","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":160000,"decision_date":"2017-11-14","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T03:14:18.680519+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on December 10, 2012, caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and its residual effects, leading to the petitioner's death on June 12, 2016. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement via stipulation, agreeing to an award of $160,000.00 for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or the basis for the stipulation's agreement on causation. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran approved the stipulation on November 14, 2017. Petitioner was represented by Rudolph L. Massa, and Respondent by Camille M. Collett.","is_death":1,"date_of_death":"2016-06-12","petition_filed_date":"2017-09-06","case_summary":"On September 6, 2017, Gerald L. Johns, as Administrator of the Estate of Connie M. Johns, filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Connie M. Johns had previously filed a petition on October 21, 2015. Petitioner alleged that she received an influenza vaccine on December 10, 2012, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result. Petitioner further alleged that she experienced residual effects from this condition until her death on June 12, 2016. Gerald L. Johns, her brother, appeared as the administrator of her estate and as the petitioner. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Johns's GBS or any other injury. However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation, acknowledging their respective positions while agreeing to a resolution. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the court's decision. The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $160,000.00, payable to the petitioner, to compensate for all damages. The decision was issued on November 14, 2017. Petitioner's counsel was Rudolph L. Massa of Massa Law Group, PC, and respondent's counsel was Camille M. Collett of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Connie M. Johns","petitioner_attorney_name":"Rudolph L. Massa","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Massa Law Group, PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Pittsburgh, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:45:45","attorney_canonical_keys":"|rudolph-massa|","firm_canonical_key":"massa-law-group","package_title":"JOHNS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226-0","title":"JOHNS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/06/2017) Regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Copy to parties.","date_issued":"2017-11-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":1601234,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01226-1","title":"JOHNS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/07/2018) Regarding 35 DECISION of Special Master - Fees (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-06-07","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}