VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00467
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00467
Petitioner: Charles Huggins
Filed: 2018-02-23
Decided: 2020-01-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2014-10-14
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 115000

AI-assisted case summary:
Charles Huggins filed a petition on February 23, 2018, alleging that he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on October 14, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a report recommending compensation, stating that Mr. Huggins satisfied the criteria for GBS on the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent noted that GBS is presumed to be caused by a seasonal flu vaccine if it occurs between three and forty-two days after vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Based on the respondent's concession, the court issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Mr. Huggins entitled to compensation for GBS and its related sequelae. Subsequently, the parties reached a stipulation for damages. The respondent proffered a lump sum payment of $115,000.00 to cover all elements of compensation. The court adopted the proffer and awarded Mr. Huggins $115,000.00 in a lump sum payment. The decision was issued on January 10, 2020.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00467-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-10-18
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC RULING (Originally filed: 02/23/2018) regarding 42: Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (dd) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 47 Filed 10/18/18 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-467V
(Unpublished)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
CHARLES HUGGINS, * Filed: February 23, 2018
*
Petitioner, * Special Master Oler
*
v. *
* Entitlement; Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”).
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Franklin John Caldwell, Jr., Maglio, Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Glenn Alexander MacLeod, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 31, 2017, Petitioner Charles Huggins filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that he developed
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that he received on
October 14, 2014.
In his Rule 4(c) Report, filed on February 16, 2018, Respondent recommends that
compensation be awarded in this case. Rule 4(c) Report at 1, ECF No. 41. Respondent states
that the medical evidence demonstrates Petitioner has “satisfied the criteria set forth in the
1 Although this ruling is not formally designated for publication, it will be posted nonetheless on the United States
Court of Federal Claims website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). As
provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the ruling’s inclusion of certain
kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within
which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or
financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise,
the whole decision will be available to the public. Id.
2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”).
Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that statutory prefix).

Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 47 Filed 10/18/18 Page 2 of 2
recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation
(QAI),” which allows Petitioner “a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs between
three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative
cause.” Id. at 3. Accordingly, Respondent concludes that Petitioner is entitled to an award of
damages limited to Petitioner’s “GBS and its related sequelae only.” Id.
In light of Respondent’s concession, and based on my own review of the record (see
Section 13(a)(1); 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(II)), the undersigned finds that Petitioner is entitled to
compensation for an injury that was caused-in-fact by a vaccination.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00467-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-01-10
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/12/19) regarding 58 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (sl) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 66 Filed 01/10/20 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-0467V
(Not to be Published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHARLES HUGGINS, *
*
Petitioner, * Filed: August 12, 2019
*
v. *
* Entitlement; Decision by Proffer; Damages;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Guillain-Barré
HUMAN SERVICES, * syndrome (“GBS”).
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Glenn Alexander MacLeod, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 31, 2017, Petitioner Charles Huggins filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that he developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October
14, 2014. Petition, ECF No. 1.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my actions in this case, I will post it on the
United States Court of Federal Claims website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44
U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet.
As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the decision’s inclusion
of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen
days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret
or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files
or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.”
Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole decision will be available to the public. Id.
2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine
Act” or “the Act”). Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that
statutory prefix).

Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 66 Filed 01/10/20 Page 2 of 4
On February 16, 2018, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report (“Respondent’s Report”),
recommending that compensation be awarded in this case. Respondent’s Report at 1, ECF No. 41.
Specifically, Respondent stated that the medical evidence demonstrates Petitioner has “satisfied
the criteria set forth in the recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications
and Aids to Interpretation (QAI),” which allows Petitioner “a presumption of causation if the onset
of GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no
apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 3. Accordingly, Respondent concluded that Petitioner is entitled
to an award of damages, the scope of which is limited to Petitioner’s GBS and its related sequelae.
Id.
In light of Respondent’s concession, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement on February 23, 2018.
ECF No. 42. I subsequently ordered the parties to inform the Court on their progress towards
resolving damages. See Damages Order, ECF No. 43.
Respondent filed a proffer on August 8, 2019 (ECF No. 57), agreeing to issue the following
payments:
a. a lump sum payment of $115,000.00 for all damages, paid in the form of a check
to Petitioner.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ proffer attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on
the terms set forth therein. I, therefore, award compensation in the amount of a lump sum
payment of $115,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Charles Huggins. The
clerk of court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 66 Filed 01/10/20 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
CHARLES HUGGINS, *
*
Petitioner, *
*
v. * No. 17-467V (ECF)
* Special Master
* KATHERINE E. OLER
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 16, 2018, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report conceding
entitlement to compensation in this matter. On February 23, 2018, the Court entered its Ruling
on Entitlement, finding petitioner, Charles Huggins, entitled to Vaccine Act compensation.
Respondent herein proffers the following amount(s) of reasonable compensation due petitioner.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a lump sum total of $115,000.00, which amount represents all elements of compensation to
which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees.
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical
expenses and future pain and suffering.

Case 1:17-vv-00467-UNJ Document 66 Filed 01/10/20 Page 4 of 4
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Charles Huggins.2 Petitioner agrees.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ GLENN A. MACLEOD
GLENN A. MACLEOD
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel.: (202) 616-4122
DATE: August 8, 2019
2 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required.
2