VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00939
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00939
Petitioner: William Lance Ferguson
Filed: 2016-08-04
Decided: 2017-10-31
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-12
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 225000

AI-assisted case summary:
William Lance Ferguson filed a petition on August 4, 2016, alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 12, 2013, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Mr. Ferguson further alleged that he suffered residual effects from the GBS for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused or aggravated his condition. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties reached a stipulation for compensation. Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The award included a lump sum payment of $225,000.00, payable to Mr. Ferguson via check, intended to compensate for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The decision was finalized on October 31, 2017. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner counsel was William E. Cochran, Jr. of Black McLaren, et al., PC, and respondent counsel was Traci R. Patton of the United States Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner William Lance Ferguson received an influenza vaccine on October 12, 2013, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), alleging residual effects for more than six months. The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Special Master Christian J. Moran. Petitioner counsel was William E. Cochran, Jr., and respondent counsel was Traci R. Patton. The award was a lump sum of $225,000.00, issued on October 31, 2017, representing compensation for all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the medical evidence considered beyond the stipulation.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00939-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-10-31
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/6/2017) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (abs) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:16-vv-00939-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/31/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WILLIAM LANCE FERGUSON, *
* No. 16-939V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
v. *
* Filed: October 6, 2017
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
* Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
William E. Cochran, Jr., Black McLaren, et al., PC, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner;
Traci R. Patton, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On October 5, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by William L. Ferguson on August 4, 2016. In his
petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine, which is contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), and which he received
on October 12, 2013, caused him to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome. Petitioner
further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six
months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a
civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition.
Respondent denies that the vaccines either caused or significantly
aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that
petitioner's current disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury.
1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.

Case 1:16-vv-00939-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/31/17 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
A lump sum payment of $225,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that
would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 16-939V according to this decision
and the attached stipulation.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
2

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