VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01040 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01040 Petitioner: Giovanni Policicchio Filed: 2019-07-18 Decided: 2021-07-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-03 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 216958 AI-assisted case summary: Giovanni Policicchio filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 18, 2019, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 3, 2016. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that the petitioner is entitled to compensation, as he satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. A ruling on entitlement was issued on May 7, 2020, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on June 21, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $216,958.59. The petitioner agreed with this proffered award. Based on the record, the Chief Special Master awarded Giovanni Policicchio a lump sum payment of $216,958.59, which included $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and $126,958.59 for past lost wages. The petitioner is a competent adult. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01040-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-06-08 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/07/2020) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01040-UNJ Document 26 Filed 06/08/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1040V UNPUBLISHED GIOVANNI POLICICCHIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 7, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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. Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On July 18, 2019, Giovanni Policicchio 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 3, 2016. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 1, 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 concludes that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in 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-01040-UNJ Document 26 Filed 06/08/20 Page 2 of 2 the Vaccine Injury Table (‘Table’) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (‘QAI’). 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), 100.3(c)(15).” Id. at 7. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01040-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-07-28 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/22/2021) regarding 41 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01040-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/28/21 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1040V UNPUBLISHED GIOVANNI POLICICCHIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 22, 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. Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On July 18, 2019, Giovanni Policicchio 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 3, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 7, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On June 21, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $216,958.59. Proffer at 1-2. 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 1:19-vv-01040-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/28/21 Page 2 of 4 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $216,958.59 (representing compensation in the amount of $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and $126,958.59 for past lost wages) 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 1:19-vv-01040-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/28/21 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS GIOVANNI POLICICCHIO, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 19-1040V ) Chief Special Master Brian Corcoran SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 1, 2020, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that petitioner suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome within the Table timeframe following an influenza vaccination, which was compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§300aa-10 to -34. Accordingly, on May 7, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and $126,958.59 for past lost earnings. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $216,958.59 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This 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. Case 1:19-vv-01040-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/28/21 Page 4 of 4 lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ LARA A. ENGLUND LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 307-3013 E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov Dated: June 21, 2021 2