{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-1","petitioner_identifier":"Robert Meli","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":70.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-10-13","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barre Syndrome","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":150000,"decision_date":"2018-12-27","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:50:14.658829+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":10,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Robert Meli, age 70, received an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2016. He subsequently developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), with onset of symptoms including back pain, numbness, tingling, weakness in limbs, and left facial droop, approximately one week after vaccination. A neurologist diagnosed GBS and Bell's palsy. The respondent, Secretary of Health and Human Services, reviewed the medical records and agreed that the GBS was a \"Table injury\" following the influenza vaccine, with no other identified causes and symptoms lasting more than six months. The respondent's report stated that petitioner met the statutory requirements for compensation, including suffering the condition for more than six months. The case proceeded as a Table claim. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, Special Master Roth issued a Decision on Damages on December 27, 2018, adopting the respondent's proffer and awarding a lump sum of $150,000.00 to petitioner, representing all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner was represented by Phyllis Widman, Esq., and respondent by Daniel Principato, Esq.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2017-05-22","case_summary":"Robert Meli, a 70-year-old adult, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on May 22, 2017, alleging that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 13, 2016. Mr. Meli reported experiencing back pain approximately one week after the vaccination, which progressed to numbness, tingling, and weakness in his limbs, accompanied by a left facial droop. A neurologist diagnosed him with GBS and Bell's palsy, and he was treated with a five-day course of IVIG. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, reviewed the medical records and agreed that Mr. Meli's GBS was a \"Table injury\" following the influenza vaccine, with no other identified causes and symptoms lasting more than six months. The case proceeded as a Table claim. On November 26, 2018, the respondent filed a report agreeing that the claim was appropriate for compensation, stating that Mr. Meli had met the statutory requirements for compensation under the Act. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth, finding Mr. Meli entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on November 26, 2018, the respondent filed a proffer on damages. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the proffer and issued a decision on damages on December 27, 2018, awarding Mr. Meli a lump sum of $150,000.00, payable by check to Mr. Meli, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner was represented by Phyllis Widman, Esq., of Widman Law Firm, LLC, and respondent was represented by Daniel Principato, Esq., of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Mindy Michaels Roth","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Phyllis Widman","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Widman Law Firm, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Ocean City, NJ","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|phyllis-widman|","firm_canonical_key":"widman-law-firm","package_title":"MELI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-0","title":"MELI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/26/2018) regarding 27 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-12-21","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":201712,"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_17-vv-00666/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-1","title":"MELI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/27/2018) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-12-27","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":236215,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00666-2","title":"MELI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/08/2019) regarding 37 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (jm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-03-26","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}