VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01285
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01285
Petitioner: Ralph Putnam
Filed: 2018-08-21
Decided: 2018-12-12
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-22
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 165680

AI-assisted case summary:
Ralph Putnam filed a petition alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) caused by the trivalent influenza vaccination he received on October 22, 2015. The petition was filed on August 21, 2018. Respondent conceded that Mr. Putnam was entitled to compensation, stating that his case met the criteria for a Table injury, specifically GBS with onset within three to forty-two days after a seasonal influenza vaccination, and that there was no apparent alternative cause. An entitlement ruling was issued on August 21, 2018, finding Mr. Putnam eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on November 1, 2018, the parties submitted a proffer for an award of compensation. The respondent proposed an award of $165,680.00, which included $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $15,680.00 for past out-of-pocket medical expenses. Mr. Putnam agreed with this proffered award. On December 12, 2018, the court issued a decision awarding Mr. Putnam the lump sum of $165,680.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01285-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-10-23
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/21/2018) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01285-UNJ Document 28 Filed 10/23/18 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1285V
Filed: August 21, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
RALPH PUTMAN,
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.
Brittany S. Cates, Faxon Law Group, New Haven, CT, for petitioner.
Lynn Elizabeth Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 18, 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 he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)
caused in fact by the trivalent influenza vaccination he received on October 22, 2015.
Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 12. Petitioner further alleges that he received the vaccination in the
United States, suffered the residual effects of his GBS for more than six months and
that neither he nor any other party has filed a civil action for his GBS, alleged as vaccine
caused. Id. at ¶¶ 2, 13-14. 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-01285-UNJ Document 28 Filed 10/23/18 Page 2 of 2
On August 20, 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 states “it is respondent’s position that petitioner has
satisfied the criteria set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and
Qualifications and Aids to Interpretations (QAI), which afford petitioner a presumption of
causation if the onset of GBS occurs within three to forty-two days after a seasonal
influenza vaccination, and there is no apparent alternative cause. Id. at 5.
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-01285-1
Date issued/filed: 2018-12-12
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/01/2018) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01285-UNJ Document 39 Filed 12/12/18 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1285V
Filed: November 1, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
RALPH PUTNAM,
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.
Brittany S. Cates, Faxon Law Group, New Haven, CT, for petitioner.
Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 18, 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 he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)
caused in fact by the trivalent influenza vaccination he received on October 22, 2015.
Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On August 21, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On November 1, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $165,680.00,
representing $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $15,680.00 for past out-of-pocket
1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, 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).
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-01285-UNJ Document 39 Filed 12/12/18 Page 2 of 4
medical expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner
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. Id.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $165,680.00, representing $150,000.00 pain and
suffering and $15,680.00 for past unreimbursable expenses in the form of a check
payable to petitioner, Ralph Putnam. 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-01285-UNJ Document 39 Filed 12/12/18 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
RALPH PUTNAM,
Petitioner, No. 17-1285V
Chief Special Master Dorsey
v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Items of Compensation
On August 20, 2018, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was
appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. On August 21, 2018, Chief Special Master
Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine
compensation for his Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”). Based upon the evidence of record,
respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $165,680.00. The award is comprised of
the following: $150,000.00 for pain and suffering; and $15,680.00 for past out-of-pocket
medical expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner
would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through

Case 1:17-vv-01285-UNJ Document 39 Filed 12/12/18 Page 4 of 4
a lump sum payment of $165,680.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner
agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/Claudia B. Gangi
CLAUDIA B. GANGI
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U. S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4138
Email: claudia.gangi@usdoj.gov
Dated: November 1, 2018
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 pain and
suffering.