VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01677
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01677
Petitioner: Vilai Thomas
Filed: 2016-12-21
Decided: 2019-07-29
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-22
Condition: transverse myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 60000

AI-assisted case summary:
Vilai Thomas filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 21, 2016, alleging that she suffered transverse myelitis caused by her receipt of the influenza vaccine on October 22, 2015. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged injury or any other injury. Nevertheless, on July 29, 2019, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages. Special Master Daniel T. Horner found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Vilai Thomas was awarded $60,000.00 as a lump sum payment, payable to the petitioner. This amount represented all remaining compensation for damages available under § 15(a). The decision was entered on July 29, 2019. Petitioner's counsel was Anne Carrion Toale of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA. Respondent's counsel was Jennifer Leigh Reynaud of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Vilai Thomas alleged that her transverse myelitis was caused by the influenza vaccine administered on October 22, 2015, and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. The stipulation resulted in an award of $60,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the medical evidence considered. The attorneys involved were Anne Carrion Toale for the petitioner and Jennifer Leigh Reynaud for the respondent. The decision date was July 29, 2019.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01677-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-08-26
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/29/2019) regarding 42 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (ac) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:16-vv-01677-UNJ Document 46 Filed 08/26/19 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-1677V
Filed: July 29, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
VILAI THOMAS,
Petitioner,
Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Transverse
myelitis
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Anne Carrion Toale, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Jennifer Leigh Reynaud, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On December 21, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered transverse myelitis that was caused
by her October 22, 2015 receipt of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine. (Pet., pp. 1; Stip., filed
July 29, 2019, at ¶¶ 1-4.) Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual
effects of this injury for more than six months. (Pet., p. 2; Stip. at ¶ 4.) “Respondent
denies that petitioner’s alleged injury and residual effects were caused by the flu
vaccine. Respondent further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other
injury or her current condition.” (Stip. at ¶ 6.)
Nevertheless, on July 29, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms
set forth therein.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, it will
be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. See 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
Internet. 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 the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, it will be
redacted 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 (2012).

Case 1:16-vv-01677-UNJ Document 46 Filed 08/26/19 Page 2 of 7
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
a. A lump sum of $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
(Stip. at ¶ 8.) This amount represents all remaining compensation for
damages that would be available under § 15(a). (Id.)
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
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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