VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01440
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01440
Petitioner: Alyce Romines
Filed: 2018-09-20
Decided: 2020-03-04
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-02
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 124199

AI-assisted case summary:
Alyce Romines 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 October 2, 2015. The respondent conceded that Ms. Romines was entitled to compensation, as she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford a presumption of causation for GBS occurring within three to forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination, with no apparent alternative cause. The medical records also showed that her condition lasted for more than six months. Following the ruling on entitlement, the parties submitted a proffer on award of compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Ms. Romines a lump sum payment of $124,199.86, which included $120,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,199.86 for out-of-pocket medical and related expenses. This award represented all elements of compensation to which she was entitled.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01440-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-11-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/30/2019) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-01440-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/14/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1440V
Filed: September 30, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
ALYCE ROMINES,
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.
Kate Gerayne Westad, SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner.
Jeffrey T. Sprague, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 20, 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”) vaccine administered on October 2, 2015. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On September 30, 2019, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he
concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule
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-01440-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/14/19 Page 2 of 2
4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, respondent states that petitioner has “satisfied the criteria
set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (QAI), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of
GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there
is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that the medical
records show that petitioner suffered the condition 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
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01440-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-03-04
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/28/2020) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-01440-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1440V
UNPUBLISHED
ALYCE ROMINES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 28, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Kate Gerayne Westad, SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner.
Jeffrey T. Sprague, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On September 20, 2018, Alyce Romines 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”) vaccine administered on October 2, 2015. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On September 30, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation. On January 27, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $124,199.86. Proffer
at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered
award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award
as stated in the Proffer.
1 Because this unpublished ruling 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such
material from public access.
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-01440-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $124,199.86 (representing compensation in the amount of
$120,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,199.86 for out-of-pocket medical and
related expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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-01440-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
)
ALYCE ROMINES, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 18-1440V ECF
)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
___________________________________ )
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
I. Procedural History
On September 20, 2018, Alyce Romines (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34, as amended. She alleges that, as a result of receiving the influenza vaccine on October 2,
2015, she suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). See Petition. On September 30, 2019,
respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS as defined
by the Vaccine Injury Table within the Table timeframe. On September 30, 2019, former Chief
Special Master Dorsey issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to
compensation for a GBS Table injury.
II. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a lump sum of $124,199.86, for all damages, including $120,000.00 representative of pain and
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to
address after the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:18-vv-01440-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 4 of 5
suffering, and $4,199.86 representative of out-of-pocket medical and related expenses. This
amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
III. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment, as described below, and requests that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: A lump sum payment of $124,199.86 in
the form of a check payable to petitioner.2 Petitioner agrees.
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.
2

Case 1:18-vv-01440-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 5 of 5
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/Jeffrey T. Sprague
JEFFREY T. SPRAGUE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U. S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4179
Dated: January 27, 2020
3