VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00224
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00224
Petitioner: Geoffrey Griffis
Filed: 2019-02-08
Decided: 2022-01-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-01-30
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 182221

AI-assisted case summary:
Geoffrey Griffis filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine and a hepatitis A vaccine he received on January 30, 2018. The respondent conceded that Mr. Griffis suffered a Table injury of GBS following the flu vaccine within the Table time period and that there was no evidence of an unrelated cause. The respondent also agreed that the claim met the statutory severity requirements because Mr. Griffis experienced sequelae of his GBS for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Mr. Griffis entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the respondent proffered an award of $182,221.05, consisting of $7,221.05 for unreimbursed past expenses and $175,000.00 for pain and suffering. Mr. Griffis, who is a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award. The court awarded Mr. Griffis the total sum of $182,221.05.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00224-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-03-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/24/2020) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00224-UNJ Document 28 Filed 03/03/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0224V
UNPUBLISHED
GEOFFREY GRIFFIS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 24, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Hepatitis A Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
Respondent. Syndrome (GBS)
Anne Carrion Toale, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 8, 2019, Geoffrey Griffis 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine and hepatitis A (“hep A”) vaccine that he received
on January 30, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 24, 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 states that “petitioner suffered the Table
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-00224-UNJ Document 28 Filed 03/03/20 Page 2 of 2
injury of GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period, and there is not a
preponderance of the medical evidence that petitioner’s GBS was due to a factor
unrelated to the vaccination.” Id. at 7. Respondent further agrees that there is not a
preponderance of the medical evidence that Petitioner’s GBS was due to a factor
unrelated to the vaccination and that this claim also meets the statutory severity
requirements because Petitioner experienced sequelae of his GBS for more than six
months. Id. Respondent agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Act.
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-00224-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-01-06
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/02/2021) regarding 64 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00224-UNJ Document 68 Filed 01/06/22 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0224V
UNPUBLISHED
GEOFFREY GRIFFIS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 2, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Anne Carrion Toale, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 8, 2019, Geoffrey Griffis 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine and hepatitis (“hep A”) vaccine that he received on
January 30, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On January 24, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On December 2, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $182,221.05,
consisting of $7,221.05 for unreimbursed past expenses and $175,000.00 for pain and
suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with
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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:19-vv-00224-UNJ Document 68 Filed 01/06/22 Page 2 of 4
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 a lump
sum payment of $182,221.05 (consisting of $7,221.05 for unreimbursed past
expenses and $175,000.00 for pain and suffering), in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 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-00224-UNJ Document 68 Filed 01/06/22 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
GEOFFREY GRIFFIS, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-224V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES
On January 24, 2020, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his
Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation in this matter alleging the Table injury
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza vaccination. The same day, the Court
entered its Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Geoffrey Griffis entitled to Vaccine Act
compensation. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting
of a lump sum payment of $182,221.05, which includes $7,221.05 for unreimbursed past
expenses and $175,000.00 for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Geoffrey Griffis.1 This amount represents compensation for all elements of compensation under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.2
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $182,221.05.3
1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required.
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.
3 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).

Case 1:19-vv-00224-UNJ Document 68 Filed 01/06/22 Page 4 of 4
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr.
VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4136
Email: voris.johnson@usdoj.gov
Dated: December 2, 2021
2