{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-1","petitioner_identifier":"Elaine Mercante","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-11-09","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":181106,"decision_date":"2020-11-16","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:12:00.398775+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Elaine Mercante alleged Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) resulting from an influenza vaccine administered on November 9, 2016. The respondent conceded that petitioner suffered from GBS and met the criteria for a \"Table injury\" under the Vaccine Injury Table, which provides a presumption of causation if GBS onset occurs between three and forty-two days post-vaccination and no more likely alternative diagnosis exists. The public decision does not describe the specific onset date, symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. On May 29, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On November 16, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding a stipulated amount of $181,106.21, comprising $122,500.00 for pain and suffering, $13,781.18 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $44,825.03 for past loss of earnings. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, and respondent was represented by Ronalda Elnetta Kosh.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-01-16","case_summary":"On January 16, 2019, Elaine Mercante filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on November 9, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Mercante suffered from GBS and met the criteria for a \"Table injury.\" This afforded her a presumption of vaccine causation, provided the onset of GBS occurred between three and forty-two days after the vaccination and there was no more likely alternative diagnosis. On May 29, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Mercante entitled to compensation based on the respondent's concession. Subsequently, on October 15, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation. The respondent proposed a total award of $181,106.21, which included $122,500.00 for pain and suffering, $13,781.18 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $44,825.03 for past loss of earnings. The petitioner, a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award. On November 16, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding the stipulated amount. Petitioner was represented by Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Ronalda Elnetta Kosh of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Elaine Mercante","petitioner_attorney_name":"Diana Lynn Stadelnikas","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA","petitioner_attorney_location":"Sarasota, FL","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:45:06","attorney_canonical_keys":"|diana-stadelnikas|","firm_canonical_key":"maglio-christopher-and-toale","package_title":"MERCANTE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-0","title":"MERCANTE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/29/2020) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-06-29","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":229396,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-1","title":"MERCANTE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/15/2020) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-11-16","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":235141,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00084-2","title":"MERCANTE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/22/2021) regarding 40 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-03-26","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}