VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01184 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01184 Petitioner: Robin Croce Filed: 2017-09-01 Decided: 2020-03-02 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2016-06-24 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 160000 AI-assisted case summary: Robin Croce filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 1, 2017. She alleged that she developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) after receiving a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination on June 24, 2016. The respondent denied that the vaccination caused her injury. The parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case, which was filed on February 6, 2020. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation. The settlement included a lump sum of $2,324.50, payable jointly to Ms. Croce and Pendrick Capital Partners II LLC, for a balance due for past medical expenses, with Ms. Croce agreeing to endorse the check to Pendrick Capital Partners II LLC. Additionally, a lump sum of $10,135.15 was awarded, payable jointly to Ms. Croce and Westside Regional Medical Center, for a balance due for past medical expenses, with Ms. Croce agreeing to endorse this check to Westside Regional Medical Center. Ms. Croce was also awarded a lump sum of $147,500.00, payable to her, representing compensation for all other damages. The total compensation awarded was $160,000. The decision was issued on March 2, 2020. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details of the GBS, any diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision. Petitioner was represented by Alison Haskins, Esq., of Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Adriana Teitel, Esq., of the US Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Robin Croce alleged Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following a Tdap vaccination on June 24, 2016. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case, resulting in an award of $160,000. This included $2,324.50 and $10,135.15 for past medical expenses, jointly payable to petitioner and medical providers, and $147,500.00 for all other damages, payable to petitioner. The decision was issued by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth on March 2, 2020, based on the stipulation filed February 6, 2020. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, any expert testimony, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the GBS. Petitioner's counsel was Alison Haskins, Esq., and respondent's counsel was Adriana Teitel, Esq. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01184-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-02 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 2/6/2020) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1184V Filed: February 6, 2020 * * * * * * * * * * * * * ROBIN CROCE, * UNPUBLISHED * Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation; * Guillain-Barre Syndrome v. * (“GBS”); Tetanus-diphtheria- * acellular pertussis (“TDaP”) SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Vaccine AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Alison Haskins, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Adriana Teitel, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Roth, Special Master: On September 1, 2017, Robin Croce [“Ms. Croce” or “petitioner”] filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) after receiving a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccination on June 24, 2016. Stipulation, filed Feb. 6, 2020, at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that the aforementioned immunization caused petitioner’s injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On February 6, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. 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). Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 2 of 7 Respondent agrees to issue the following payments: (1) A lump sum of $2,324.50, representing a balance due for petitioner’s past incurred medical expenses, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Pendrick Capital Partners II LLC. Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Pendrick Capital Partners II LLC; (2) A lump sum of $10,135.15, representing a balance due for petitioner’s past incurred medical expenses, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Westside Regional Medical Center. Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Westside Regional Medical Center; and (3) A lump sum of $147,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Robin Croce. 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 Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01184-UNJ Document 50 Filed 03/02/20 Page 7 of 7