VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01344 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01344 Petitioner: Heather Woolley Filed: 2017-09-27 Decided: 2020-10-08 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2015-10-03 Condition: brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner syndrome) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 162500 AI-assisted case summary: Heather Woolley filed her petition on September 27, 2017, alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 3, 2015 caused brachial neuritis, also described as Parsonage-Turner syndrome. She alleged that the effects of the injury persisted for more than six months. Woolley was represented by Alison H. Haskins of Maglio Christopher & Toale. Respondent did not admit causation. The stipulation states that respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused Woolley's brachial neuritis, denied that it caused any other injury or condition, and denied that any current condition was vaccine caused. The case resolved by stipulation rather than a published entitlement ruling. The public stipulation gives the legal and settlement posture but not a detailed medical timeline. It does not describe the first symptom, whether Woolley experienced acute shoulder or arm pain, weakness, sensory changes, diagnostic studies, neurology evaluations, steroid treatment, physical therapy, or the course of recovery. It also does not identify experts or explain a biological mechanism for Parsonage-Turner syndrome in this particular record. The human story that can be told from the public text is therefore narrow: Woolley attributed a brachial neuritis syndrome to the October 2015 flu shot, respondent disputed that connection, and the parties settled the contested claim. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision on October 8, 2020. Woolley received $162,500.00 as a lump-sum award for all Vaccine Act damages, with judgment directed in that amount. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on October 3, 2015 allegedly causing brachial neuritis / Parsonage-Turner syndrome with residual effects lasting more than six months. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied vaccine causation for brachial neuritis, any other injury/condition, and any current vaccine-caused condition. Public stipulation provides no onset description, neurology findings, EMG/NCS, imaging, steroid response, therapy course, experts, literature, or biological mechanism. Decision: Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, October 8, 2020. Award $162,500.00 lump sum to petitioner. Petition filed September 27, 2017. Attorney: Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01344-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-11-10 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/08/2020) regarding 86 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1344V UNPUBLISHED HEATHER WOOLLEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 8, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Brachial Neuritis Respondent. Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Ida Nassar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On September 27, 2017, Heather Woolley 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 she suffered brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner syndrome) resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccine she received on October 3, 2015. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed at October 7, 2020, ¶ 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was administered in the United States, she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner’s alleged [brachial neuritis] BN, or any other injury, was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccination administered on October 3, 2015.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 2 of 8 Nevertheless, on October 7, 2020, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $162,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran 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-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 3 of 8 Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 4 of 8 Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 5 of 8 Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 6 of 8 Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 7 of 8 Case 1:17-vv-01344-UNJ Document 93 Filed 11/10/20 Page 8 of 8