VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00188 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00188 Petitioner: Theresa Selmer Filed: 2018-02-07 Decided: 2019-11-08 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-27 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 119884 AI-assisted case summary: Theresa Selmer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that her receipt of an influenza vaccine on October 27, 2016, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The respondent conceded that petitioner was entitled to compensation, agreeing that she suffered a Table injury of GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period and met the statutory requirements for entitlement. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 18, 2019, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on August 14, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $119,884.04, consisting of $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,884.04 for out-of-pocket expenses. Petitioner agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master awarded Theresa Selmer a lump sum payment of $119,884.04, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00188-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-05-15 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/18/2019) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 33 Filed 05/15/19 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-188V Filed: March 18, 2019 UNPUBLISHED THERESA SELMER, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND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. Amber Diane Wilson, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 7, 2018, 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 her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 27, 2016, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 14, 2019, 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 1 The undersigned intends to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. This means the ruling 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 ruling 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 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 33 Filed 05/15/19 Page 2 of 2 at 1. Specifically, respondent has concluded that petitioner suffered the Table injury of GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period Id. at 3-4. Respondent further agrees that petitioner has met the statutory requirements for entitlement to compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00188-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-11-08 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/15/2019) regarding 41 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (ypb) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 50 Filed 11/08/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-188V Filed: August 15, 2019 UNPUBLISHED THERESA SELMER, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain- SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Barre Syndrome (GBS) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Amber Diane Wilson, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 7, 2018, 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 she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on October 27, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 18, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On August 14, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $119,884.04 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 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 50 Filed 11/08/19 Page 2 of 4 consisting of $115,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $4,884.04 for out-of-pocket expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $119,884.04 (consisting of $115,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $4,884.04 for out-of-pocket expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Theresa Selmer. 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 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 50 Filed 11/08/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) THERESA SELMER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 18-188V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items On March 14, 2019, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement in the above-captioned case. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on March 18, 2019, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $119,884.04. This amount includes $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,884.04 for out-of- pocket expenses, and it 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 Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a lump sum payment of $119,884.04 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. 1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves 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. 1 Case 1:18-vv-00188-UNJ Document 50 Filed 11/08/19 Page 4 of 4 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/Amy P. Kokot AMY P. KOKOT Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4118 Dated: August 14, 2019 2