{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-1","petitioner_identifier":"Phyllis Weir","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2013-02-16","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":515752,"decision_date":"2018-05-23","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T04:50:49.458302+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Phyllis Weir alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on February 16, 2013, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The respondent did not contest entitlement, stating that the petitioner satisfied the criteria of the Vaccine Injury Table, as GBS onset occurred within the time period specified in the Table following an influenza vaccine. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of causation or name any medical experts. The Special Master, Herbrina Sanders, ruled on entitlement based on the respondent's concession. An award of $515,752.80 was granted, consisting of a lump sum for first-year life care expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses, plus an annuity for future life care expenses. Petitioner counsel was Michael G. McLaren, and respondent counsel was Robert P. Coleman III. The decision date for entitlement was May 11, 2018, and the decision awarding damages was May 23, 2018.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2015-12-09","case_summary":"Phyllis Weir filed a petition for compensation on December 9, 2015, alleging that the seasonal influenza vaccine she received on February 16, 2013, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and/or other neurologic and physical impairments. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report on May 10, 2018, stating that he did not contest entitlement. The respondent indicated that Ms. Weir satisfied the criteria set forth in the newly revised Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Although the revised Table applied to petitions filed on or after its effective date, the respondent acknowledged that the evidence showed Ms. Weir suffered GBS following an influenza vaccine, with onset within the time period specified in the Table. Recognizing that Ms. Weir might re-file and be afforded a presumption of causation under the revised Table, the respondent stated he would not contest entitlement. On May 11, 2018, Special Master Herbrina Sanders issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding Ms. Weir entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 23, 2018, the parties filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation. Based on the proffer, Special Master Sanders awarded Ms. Weir a total of $515,752.80. This award included a lump sum payment of $515,752.80, which comprised compensation for life care expenses during the first year ($23,429.98), lost earnings ($260,427.40), pain and suffering ($210,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($21,895.42). The award also included an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future life care items, with payments to be made for Ms. Weir's lifetime. The annuity payments were to grow at a four percent annual rate for non-medical items and a five percent annual rate for medical items. Petitioner counsel was Michael G. McLaren of Black McLaren, et al., PC, and respondent counsel was Robert P. Coleman III of the United States Department of Justice. Special Master Herbrina Sanders presided over the case.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Michael G. McLaren","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Black McLaren, et al., PC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Memphis, TN","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|michael-mclaren|","firm_canonical_key":"black-mclaren-jones-ryland-and-griffee","package_title":"WEIR v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-0","title":"WEIR v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/11/2018) regarding 49 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (kel) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-06-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":195471,"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_15-vv-01491/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-1","title":"WEIR v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/23/2018) regarding 53 DECISION of Special Master - Proffer. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (kel) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-06-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":679166,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01491-2","title":"WEIR v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/11/2018) regarding 61 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (jm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-10-19","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}