VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00947
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00947
Petitioner: Sandra Williams
Filed: 2018-06-29
Decided: 2019-10-24
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-11-16
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 196801

AI-assisted case summary:
Sandra Williams filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on November 16, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation. The respondent concluded that Ms. Williams suffered the Table injury of GBS following the flu vaccine within the Table time period and that there was no evidence that her GBS was due to an unrelated factor. The respondent also agreed that she experienced sequelae of her GBS for more than six months. A ruling on entitlement was issued on June 19, 2019, finding Ms. Williams entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on September 6, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $196,801.50. This amount included $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past unreimbursed expenses. Ms. Williams, who is a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding damages on October 24, 2019, in the amount of $196,801.50.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00947-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-09-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/19/2019) regarding 29 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00947-UNJ Document 42 Filed 09/11/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-947V
Filed: June 19, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
SANDRA WILLIAMS,
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
v. Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 29, 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 the adverse effects of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 16,
2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
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-00947-UNJ Document 42 Filed 09/11/19 Page 2 of 2
On June 19, 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 concludes that petitioner suffered the Table injury of GBS
following a flu vaccine within the Table time period, and there is not a preponderance of
the medical evidence that petitioner’s GBS was due to a factor unrelated to the
vaccination. Id. at 11. Respondent further agrees that petitioner experienced sequelae
of her GBS for more than six months. 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00947-1
Date issued/filed: 2019-10-24
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/06/2019) regarding 38 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00947-UNJ Document 46 Filed 10/24/19 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-947V
Filed: September 6, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
SANDRA WILLIAMS,
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.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On June 29, 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 the adverse effects of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 16,
2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On June 19, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for her GBS injury. On September 6, 2019, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
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-00947-UNJ Document 46 Filed 10/24/19 Page 2 of 4
$196,801.50. 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 $196,801.50 (representing compensation in the
amount of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past
unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra
Williams. 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-00947-UNJ Document 46 Filed 10/24/19 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
SANDRA WILLIAMS, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 18-947V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES
On June 19, 2019, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his
Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation. The same day, the Court entered its
Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Sandra Williams entitled to Vaccine Act compensation
for the Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine.
Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum
of $196,801.50 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra Williams.1 This amount
consists of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past unreimbursed expenses,
and represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to
which petitioner is entitled.2
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $196,801.50.3
1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required.
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for
future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
3 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Case 1:18-vv-00947-UNJ Document 46 Filed 10/24/19 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/Voris E. Johnson, Jr.
VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4136
Dated: September 6, 2019
2