VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01633
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01633
Petitioner: Rhonda Meade
Filed: 2017-10-30
Decided: 2019-07-30
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2014-11-05
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 211006

AI-assisted case summary:
Rhonda Meade filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 30, 2017, alleging she developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on November 5, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that Ms. Meade satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Based on this concession, the Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding Ms. Meade entitled to compensation for her GBS and its related sequelae. The parties subsequently reached a stipulation on damages. The respondent proffered a lump sum payment of $211,006.94 to compensate Ms. Meade for pain and suffering ($200,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses ($11,006.94). The Special Master adopted the parties' proffer and awarded compensation in that amount. The decision was issued on July 30, 2019.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01633-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-04-10
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 3/1/2019) regarding 27 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (dd) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/10/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1633V
(Unpublished)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RHONDA MEADE, *
* Filed: March 1, 2019
Petitioner, * Special Master Oler
*
v. * Entitlement; Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine
* Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Jennifer Leigh Reynaud, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On October 30, 2017, Rhonda Meade (“Petitioner”) filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she
developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that she
received on November 5, 2014. See Petition at 1, ECF No. 1.
In his Rule 4(c) Report, filed on February 28, 2019, Respondent recommends that
compensation be awarded in this case. Rule 4(c) Report at 1, ECF No. 26. Respondent states
that the medical evidence demonstrates Petitioner has “satisfied the criteria set forth in the
Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).” Id. at
1 Although this ruling is not formally designated for publication, it will be posted nonetheless on the United States
Court of Federal Claims website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). As
provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the ruling’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 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”).
Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that statutory prefix).

Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/10/19 Page 2 of 2
4. Accordingly, Respondent concludes that Petitioner is entitled to an award of damages, the
scope of which is limited to Petitioner’s GBS and its related sequelae. Id. The type and amount
of damages is to be determined through further proceedings.
In light of Respondent’s concession, and based on my own review of the record (see
Section 13(a)(1)), I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. A separate damages order
will issue accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01633-1
Date issued/filed: 2019-07-30
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/1/19) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (aa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 39 Filed 07/30/19 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1633V
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*
*
RHONDA MEADE,
*
* Special Master Katherine E. Oler
Petitioner, *
*
Filed: May 1, 2019
*
v.
*
* Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barré
HUMAN SERVICES, * syndrome (GBS)
*
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Jennifer L. Reynaud, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On October 30, 2017, Rhonda Meade (“Petitioner”) filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on
November 5, 2014.3 Am. Pet., ECF No. 11.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my actions in this case, I will 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 (2012). This means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet.
As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), 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 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine
Act” or “the Act”). Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that
statutory prefix).
3 This case was initially assigned to Special Master Millman (ECF No. 4) and reassigned to my docket on
January 10, 2018 (ECF No. 9).

Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 39 Filed 07/30/19 Page 2 of 5
On February 28, 2019, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report (“Resp’t’s Rep.”) in which he
conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation for her claim of GBS. Resp’t’s Rep., ECF
No. 26. Specifically, Respondent stated that the medical evidence demonstrates Petitioner has
“satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and
Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).” Id. at 4. Accordingly, Respondent concluded that Petitioner is
entitled to an award of damages limited to Petitioner’s “GBS and its related sequelae only.” Id.
In light of Respondent’s concession, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement on March 1, 2019.
ECF No. 27. I subsequently ordered the parties to inform the Court on their progress towards
resolving damages. See Damages Order, ECF No. 29.
Respondent filed a proffer on April 30, 2019 (ECF No. 32), agreeing to issue the following
payments:
a. a lump sum payment of $211,006.94.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ proffer attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on
the terms set forth therein. I, therefore, award compensation in the amount of a lump sum
payment of $211,006.94, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Rhonda Meade.
The clerk of court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4
Any questions regarding this Order may be directed to my law clerk, Ahmed Almudallal,
by email at Ahmed_Almudallal@cfc.uscourts.gov.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 39 Filed 07/30/19 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
RHONDA MEADE,
Petitioner,
v.
No. 17-1633V
Special Master Oler
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On October 30, 2017, Rhonda Meade (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1
to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. She then filed an Amended Petition setting forth
a more detailed recitation of the facts on March 1, 2018. Respondent conceded petitioner’s
entitlement to compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on February 28, 2019. Based on
Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report, on March 1, 2019, the Special Master found petitioner entitled
to compensation.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $200,000.00 in actual and
projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and
suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner
agrees.
1

Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 39 Filed 07/30/19 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $11,006.94. Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $211,006.94, representing compensation for pain and suffering
($200,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses ($11,006.94), in the form of a check payable
to petitioner.1 This lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which
petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 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
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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
2

Case 1:17-vv-01633-UNJ Document 39 Filed 07/30/19 Page 5 of 5
/s Jennifer L. Reynaud
JENNIFER L. REYNAUD
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202) 305-1586
DATED: April 30, 2019
3