VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01162 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01162 Petitioner: Mark Thomann Filed: 2018-08-09 Decided: 2019-12-26 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2012-09-18 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 65000 AI-assisted case summary: Mark Thomann filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 9, 2018, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 18, 2012. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on July 18, 2019, conceding that the petitioner sustained the onset of GBS within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table following his receipt of the flu vaccine. On July 22, 2019, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a ruling on entitlement, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record. Subsequently, on November 6, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation, recommending an award of $65,000.00. The petitioner, a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision on November 6, 2019, awarding the petitioner a lump sum payment of $65,000.00, payable to Mark Thomann, representing all elements of compensation. The public decision does not describe the specific onset, symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. Petitioner was represented by Edward M. Kraus of the Law Offices of Chicago Kent, and respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Mark Thomann received an influenza vaccine on September 18, 2012, and subsequently suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The respondent conceded that the GBS onset occurred within the time period specified in the Vaccine Injury Table following the vaccination. The case was determined to be a "Table Injury." The respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $65,000.00, which the petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a ruling on entitlement on July 22, 2019, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding $65,000.00 on November 6, 2019. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or clinical findings beyond the concession of a Table injury. Petitioner was represented by Edward M. Kraus, and respondent by Claudia Barnes Gangi. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01162-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-10-11 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/22/2019) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (ypb) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01162-UNJ Document 31 Filed 10/11/19 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1162V Filed: July 22, 2019 UNPUBLISHED MARK THOMANN, 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. Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 9, 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 he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 18, 2012. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 18, 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. 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-01162-UNJ Document 31 Filed 10/11/19 Page 2 of 2 Specifically, respondent concludes that petitioner has satisfied the criteria for GBS as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 6. 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-01162-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-12-26 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/06/2019) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ypb) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01162-UNJ Document 40 Filed 12/26/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1162V Filed: November 6, 2019 UNPUBLISHED MARK THOMANN, 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. Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Corcoran, Chief Special Master: On August 9, 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 he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 18, 2012. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 22, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On November 6, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered 1 I intend 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 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). 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-01162-UNJ Document 40 Filed 12/26/19 Page 2 of 4 award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump sum payment of $65,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Mark Thomann. 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/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 1:18-vv-01162-UNJ Document 40 Filed 12/26/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS _________________________________________ ) MARK THOMANN, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 18-1162V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On July 18, 2019, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report, in which he conceded that petitioner sustained the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, following his receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 18, 2012. Docket No. 23. On July 22, 2019, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner is entitled to compensation. . Docket No. 25. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00, which 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 Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $65,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees. Case 1:18-vv-01162-UNJ Document 40 Filed 12/26/19 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Claudia B. Gangi CLAUDIA B. GANGI 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) 616-4138 claudia.gangi@usdoj.gov Dated: November 6, 2019