VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00780
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00780
Petitioner: Robert Sauer
Filed: 2017-06-12
Decided: 2019-04-05
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-13
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) and/or chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 90000

AI-assisted case summary:
Robert Sauer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 12, 2017. Mr. Sauer alleged that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 13, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccination caused the alleged injury. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case. Under the terms of the stipulation, the respondent agreed to issue a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 to Mr. Sauer as compensation for all damages. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded the compensation. The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel, respondent's counsel, the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The decision is designated as unpublished but will be posted on the Court of Federal Claims' website, with parties having the option to request redaction of confidential information.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Robert Sauer alleged developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy after an influenza vaccination on October 13, 2015. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement via joint stipulation, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 to petitioner for all damages. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation on April 5, 2019. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was represented by Joseph Vuckovich, Esq., and respondent by Claudia Gangi, Esq.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00780-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-04-05
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/11/2019) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (km) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00780-UNJ Document 33 Filed 04/05/19 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-780V
Filed: March 11, 2019
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
ROBERT SAUER, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
v. * Guillain-Barre Syndrome
* (“GBS”)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Joseph Vuckovich, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Claudia Gangi, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Roth, Special Master:
On June 12, 2017, Robert Sauer [“Mr. Sauer or “petitioner”] filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that
he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) and/or chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy
after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 13, 2015. Stipulation, filed Mar. 11, 2019, at
¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that the aforementioned immunization caused petitioner’s injury.
Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-
347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision
will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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 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).
1

Case 1:17-vv-00780-UNJ Document 33 Filed 04/05/19 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On March 11, 2019 the parties filed
a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.
Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:
A lump sum of $90,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Robert
Sauer This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance
with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
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

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