VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00932
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00932
Petitioner: Vanessa Nelson
Filed: 2018-06-28
Decided: 2019-11-27
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-09-14
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 224629

AI-assisted case summary:
Vanessa Nelson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. The respondent conceded that Ms. Nelson is entitled to compensation, stating that she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on May 31, 2019, finding her eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on September 27, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $224,629.12 for pain and suffering, lost earnings, and past unreimbursed expenses. Ms. Nelson, who is a competent adult, agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Ms. Nelson a lump sum payment of $224,629.12.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00932-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-08-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/31/2019) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00932-UNJ Document 28 Filed 08/14/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-932V
Filed: May 31, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
VANESSA NELSON,
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.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 28, 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result
of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. Petition at 1-2.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On May 22, 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 at 1.
Specifically, respondent states that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
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.

Case 1:18-vv-00932-UNJ Document 28 Filed 08/14/19 Page 2 of 2
Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).”
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
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00932-1
Date issued/filed: 2019-11-27
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/30/2019) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00932-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/27/19 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-932V
Filed: September 30, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
VANESSA NELSON,
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.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 28, 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result
of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 14, 2016. Petition at 1-2.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On May 31, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for her GBS injury. On September 27, 2019, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
$224,629.12, consisting of pain and suffering, lost earnings, and past unreimbursed
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.
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.

Case 1:18-vv-00932-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/27/19 Page 2 of 4
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $224,629.12 (consisting of pain and suffering,
lost earnings, and past unreimbursed expenses), in the form of a check payable
to petitioner, Vanessa Nelson. 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-00932-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/27/19 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
VANESSA NELSON, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) No. 18-932V
) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On May 22, 2019, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that petitioner
suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome within the Table timeframe following an influenza
vaccination, and conceding petitioner’s entitlement to compensation under the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§300aa-10 to -34. Accordingly,
on May 31, 2019, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $224,629.12, consisting of pain
and suffering, lost earnings, and past unreimbursed expenses, which represents all elements of
compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $224,629.12 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This
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.

Case 1:18-vv-00932-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/27/19 Page 4 of 4
lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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
GABRIELLE FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ LARA A. ENGLUND
LARA A. ENGLUND
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 307-3013
E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov
Dated: September 27, 2019
2