VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00909
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00909
Petitioner: Rhonda O’Brien
Filed: 2021-04-08
Decided: 2021-05-11
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-02-12
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 100000

AI-assisted case summary:
Rhonda O’Brien filed a petition for vaccine compensation on April 8, 2021, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on February 12, 2018. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of her condition for more than six months. The respondent denied that Ms. O’Brien sustained a GBS Table injury within the Table time period and denied that the flu vaccine caused her GBS or any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 6, 2021, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as his decision. Ms. O’Brien was awarded a lump sum of $100,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and Respondent was represented by Kimberly Shubert Davey of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Rhonda O’Brien received an influenza vaccine on February 12, 2018, and alleged a Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that the injury was a Table injury or that the vaccine caused the GBS. The parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case, agreeing to an award of $100,000.00. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as his decision on May 11, 2021. The public text does not specify the mechanism of causation or name any experts. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant and Respondent by Kimberly Shubert Davey.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00909-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-05-11
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/08/2021) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0909V
UNPUBLISHED
RHONDA O’BRIEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 8, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On June 21, 2019, Rhonda O’Brien 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 injuries, including Guillain-Barré
syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on February 12,
2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at April 6, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that
she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Petition
at 6; Stipulation at ¶4 . “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table Injury,
within the Table time period, and further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to
suffer GBS or any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on April 6, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
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 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 2 of 7
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $100,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 3 of 7
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
RHONDA O'BRIEN, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-909V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Rhonda O'Brien, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (the "Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on February 12, 2018.
3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS") Table injury
following administration of the flu vaccine, and that she experienced the residual effects of this
condition for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury, within the Table time

Case 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 4 of 7
period, and further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer GBS or any other injury
or her current condition.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the
issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the
compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a)(l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after
petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a)(l ), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings
before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
l 0. Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to
this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be
expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or
State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

Case 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 5 of 7
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided
pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a
strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-15(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her
individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns,
does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and
the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action
(including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands
of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely
brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting
from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on February 12, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about June 21, 2019, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 9-909V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.

Case 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 6 of 7
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a
decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except
as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated
and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this
Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or
amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the
items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS, or
any other injury or condition.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
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Case 1:19-vv-00909-UNJ Document 37 Filed 05/11/21 Page 7 of 7
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
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~~EN
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
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HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Counsel for Petitioner Acting Deputy Director
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Torts Branch, Civil Division
Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETA RY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
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TAMARA OVERBY KIMBERLY S. DA VEY
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs (DICP) Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice
Heath Resources and Services Administration P.O. Box 146
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Benjamin Franklin Station
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 (202) 307-1815
Kimberly.Davey@usdoj.gov
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