VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00138
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00138
Petitioner: Madison Edwards
Filed: 2019-12-05
Decided: 2020-01-17
Vaccine: meningococcal
Vaccination date: 2016-01-29
Condition: vasovagal syncope
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 101287

AI-assisted case summary:
Madison Edwards filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after receiving a meningitis vaccination on January 29, 2016. She alleged that she suffered a syncopal episode, resulting in injuries including a fractured jaw, ruptured eardrum, chin laceration, and fractured teeth. The respondent conceded that Ms. Edwards was entitled to compensation, recognizing that her vasovagal syncope met the criteria of the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent further agreed that her condition resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months, satisfying all legal prerequisites for compensation. The Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Edwards eligible for an award. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued on January 17, 2020. The parties stipulated to an award of $101,287.69, which included $100,000.00 for pain and suffering, $915.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $372.69 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. The award was structured with a portion payable jointly to Ms. Edwards and AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid, and the remainder payable directly to Ms. Edwards.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00138-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-12-05
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/04/2019) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 21 Filed 12/05/19 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0138V
Filed: October 4, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
MADISON EDWARDS,
Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU);
v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
Table Injury; Meningococcal Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH Vasovagal Syncope
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Damon Louis Beard, Townsley Law Firm, Lake Charles, LA, for petitioner.
Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Corcoran, Chief states “Special Master:
On January 28, 2019, Madison Edwards (“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 a syncopal
episode upon receiving a meningitis vaccination on January 29, 2016, which resulted in
“injuries, including fractured jaw, ruptured eardrum, chin laceration and fractured teeth.”
Petition at Preamble, ¶ 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
1 I intend 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, I agree that the identified material
fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 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).
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 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 21 Filed 12/05/19 Page 2 of 2
On October 4, 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 states that “[b]ased on the medical records outlined
above, petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table
and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford petitioners a presumption
of causation if onset the of vasovagal syncope occurs within one hour after a
meningococcal vaccination and there is no “organic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias,
transient ischemic attacks, hyperventilation, metabolic conditions, neurological
conditions,[or] seizures,” from which the loss of consciousness could have resulted
from.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that “the medical records demonstrate that
petitioner has experienced the residual effects of her syncopal episode for more than six
months” and therefore, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation
under the Act. Id.
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_19-vv-00138-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-01-17
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/13/2019) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 29 Filed 01/17/20 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-0138V
UNPUBLISHED
MADISON EDWARDS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 13, 2019
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Decision Awarding Damages; Pain
HUMAN SERVICES, and Suffering; Meningococcal
Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope
Respondent.
Damon Louis Beard, Townsley Law Firm, Lake Charles, LA, for petitioner.
Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 28, 2019, Madison Edwards 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 a syncopal episode upon receiving a
meningitis vaccination on January 29, 2016, which resulted in “injuries, including fractured
jaw, ruptured eardrum, chin laceration and fractured teeth.” Petition at Preamble, ¶6. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 5, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation. On December 12, 2019, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded damages in the amount
$101,287.69, representing compensation in the amount of $100,000.00 for actual pain
and suffering, $915.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $372.69 for payment of a
Medicaid lien. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner
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 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 29 Filed 01/17/20 Page 2 of 4
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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner the
following:
a) lump sum payment of $372.69, representing compensation for full satisfaction of
a State of Louisiana Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to
Petitioner and
AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid
c/o Discovery Health Partners
2 Pierce Place, Suite 1900
Itasca, IL 60143
Case Number: 95576
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid.
b) a lump sum of $100,915.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be
available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 29 Filed 01/17/20 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MADISON EDWARDS,
Petitioner,
v. No. 19-138V
Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
On October 4, 2019, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is
entitled to vaccine compensation for her vasovagal syncope that occurred following receipt of a
meningococcal vaccination. The Chief Special Master’s Ruling on Entitlement, adopting
respondent’s recommendation, was issued the same day.
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner1 should be awarded
$101,287.69. This is comprised of pain and suffering ($100,000.00), unreimbursable out of
pocket expenses ($915.00), and payment of a Medicaid lien ($372.69), and represents all elements
of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).2 Petitioner
agrees.
1 Petitioner is a competent adult, therefore evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
2 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 and future pain and suffering.
1

Case 1:19-vv-00138-UNJ Document 29 Filed 01/17/20 Page 4 of 4
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through:
a) lump sum payment of $372.69, representing compensation for full satisfaction
of a State of Louisiana Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner and
AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid
c/o Discovery Health Partners
2 Pierce Place, Suite 1900
Itasca, IL 60143
Case Number: 95576
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid.
b) a lump sum of $100,915.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be
available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Petitioner agrees.
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
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Adriana Teitel
ADRIANA TEITEL
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Dated: December 12, 2019 Tel: (202) 616-3677
2