VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01785
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01785
Petitioner: Geetha Menon
Filed: 2020-01-10
Decided: 2020-06-29
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-12-17
Condition: Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 152913

AI-assisted case summary:
Geetha Menon 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 received on December 17, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, agreeing that she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for GBS. The ruling on entitlement found Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating Petitioner should be awarded $152,913.45, which Petitioner agreed with. The decision awarded Petitioner a lump sum payment of $152,913.45, representing $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,913.45 for vaccine-related unreimbursed expenses.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01785-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-02-13
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/10/2020) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (SW) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-01785-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/13/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1785V
UNPUBLISHED
GEETHA MENON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 10, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Glenn Alexander MacLeod, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On November 20, 2018, Geetha Menon 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 received on December 17, 2015. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 9, 2020, 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 agrees that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth
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-01785-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/13/20 Page 2 of 2
in Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for GBS, which
afford petitioner a presumption of vaccine 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 5.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01785-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-06-29
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/28/2020) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-01785-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/29/20 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1785V
UNPUBLISHED
GEETHA MENON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 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.
Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 20, 2018, Geetha Menon 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 received on December 17, 2015. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 10, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for GBS. On May 28, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $152,913.45.
Proffer at 1. 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 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). 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.
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-01785-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/29/20 Page 2 of 4
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $152,913.45 (representing $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$2,913.45 for vaccine-related unreimbursed 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-01785-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/29/20 Page 3 of 4
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
GEETHA MENON,
Petitioner,
v. No. 18-1785V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 9, 2020, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report, in which respondent
recommended that petitioner be found entitled to compensation, and on January 10, 2020, the
Court entered its Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Respondent
now proffers that petitioner receive an award of a lump sum of $152,913.45 in the form of a
check payable to petitioner, representing $150,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $2,913.45 for
vaccine-related, unreimbursed expenses. This amount represents compensation for all elements
of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled. 1
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $152,913.45. 2
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
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.
2 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).
1

Case 1:18-vv-01785-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/29/20 Page 4 of 4
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/ RYAN D. PYLES
RYAN D. PYLES
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-9847
Dated: May 28, 2020
2