VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00641
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00641
Petitioner: Sheila English
Filed: 2017-05-16
Decided: 2021-11-09
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-14
Condition: Bell's palsy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 90000

AI-assisted case summary:
Sheila English filed a petition on May 16, 2017, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 14, 2015, caused her to develop Bell's palsy. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused her condition. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation recommending an award of compensation. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Sheila English was awarded a lump sum of $90,000.00, payable to her, representing compensation for all damages. The decision was based on this stipulation, and judgment was entered accordingly. Edward M. Kraus represented the petitioner, and Adriana R. Teitel represented the respondent. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, or any expert testimony.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Sheila English alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 14, 2015, caused her to develop Bell's palsy. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted. Petitioner was awarded $90,000.00. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, any medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. The award was based on a stipulation between the parties.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00641-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-12-09
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/09/2021) regarding 68 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (Attachments: # (1) Appendix A)(mca) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00641-UNJ Document 72 Filed 12/09/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: November 9, 2021
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SHEILA ENGLISH, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * No. 17-641V
*
v. * Special Master Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Bell’s
* Palsy.
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.
Adriana R. Teitel, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1
On May 16, 2017, Sheila English (“petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleged that as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
on October 14, 2015, she developed Bell’s palsy. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1).
On November 9, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of
compensation to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 67). Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner to suffer from Bell’s palsy, and further denies that the flu vaccine caused
petitioner to suffer any other injury or her current condition. Id. at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is required to 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 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, upon review, the undersigned
agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access.
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All citations in this Decision
to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:17-vv-00641-UNJ Document 72 Filed 12/09/21 Page 2 of 2
agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the
stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the
terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $90,000.00 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). Stipulation at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2