VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00871
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00871
Petitioner: Katie Wiggins
Filed: 2018-03-29
Decided: 2018-09-05
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-09-18
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 200000

AI-assisted case summary:
Katie Wiggins filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 26, 2017, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) caused by an influenza vaccine she received on September 18, 2016. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects for more than six months and that neither she nor any other party had received an award or settlement for her GBS. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On March 27, 2018, the respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. The respondent concluded that petitioner suffered GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period and that there was no preponderance of medical evidence indicating the GBS was due to an unrelated cause. The respondent also agreed that petitioner had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on March 29, 2018, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 10, 2018, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, recommending an award of $200,000.00 for pain and suffering, which petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Decision Awarding Damages on September 5, 2018, awarding petitioner a lump sum payment of $200,000.00 for pain and suffering, payable to Katie Wiggins. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and respondent was represented by Christine Mary Becer of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset, specific symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Katie Wiggins alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) caused in fact by an influenza vaccine received on September 18, 2016. The respondent conceded entitlement, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period and that there was no preponderance of evidence that the GBS was due to an unrelated cause. The public text does not describe specific medical experts, the mechanism of causation, or details of the GBS onset or progression. Petitioner was awarded $200,000.00 for pain and suffering as a lump sum payment. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued the Ruling on Entitlement on March 29, 2018, and the Decision Awarding Damages on September 5, 2018. Petitioner's counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent's counsel was Christine Mary Becer.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00871-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-06-25
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 3/29/2018) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 34 Filed 06/25/18 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-871V
Filed: March 29, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
KATIE WIGGINS,
Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU);
v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 26, 2017, 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 suffered the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) caused in
fact by the influenza vaccine she received on September 18, 2016. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1,
14. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her GBS for more
than six months and that neither she nor any other party has received an award or
settlement for her GBS, alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 14-15. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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 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 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 34 Filed 06/25/18 Page 2 of 2
On March 27, 2018, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report
at 1. Specifically, respondent “[has] concluded that petitioner suffered GBS following a
flu vaccine within the Table time period, and there is not a preponderance of the
medical evidence that petitioner’s GBS was due to a factor unrelated to the
vaccination.” Id. at 3-4. Respondent further agrees that “petitioner has satisfied all
legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. at 4.
In view of respondent’s position and the evidence of record, the
undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00871-1
Date issued/filed: 2018-09-05
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/10/2018) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/05/18 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-0871V
Filed: May 10, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
KATIE WIGGINS,
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Petitioner,
Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 26, 2017, 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 suffered the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) caused in
fact by the influenza vaccine she received on September 18, 2016. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1,
14. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On March 29, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On May 10, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $200,000.00 for pain
and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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 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 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/05/18 Page 2 of 4
agrees with the proffered award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned
finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $200,000.00 for pain and suffering in the form
of a check payable to petitioner, Katie Wiggins. This amount represents
compensation for all damages that would be available under § 15(a).
The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief 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

Case 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/05/18 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
)
KATIE WIGGINS, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 17-871V
v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On March 27, 2018, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that
petitioner suffered an injury that is compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury
Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§300aa-10 to -34. Accordingly, on March 29, 2018, the
Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$200,000.00 for pain and suffering which represents all compensation to which petitioner would
be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $200,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
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, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.

Case 1:17-vv-00871-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/05/18 Page 4 of 4
Respectfully submitted,
CHAD A. READLER
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Christine Mary Becer
CHRISTINE MARY BECER
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3665
Date: May 10, 2018
2