VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01181
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01181
Petitioner: William Starnes
Filed: 2019-08-13
Decided: 2021-02-19
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-18
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 141554

AI-assisted case summary:
William Starnes filed a petition on August 13, 2019, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a result of his October 18, 2016 influenza vaccination. Mr. Starnes claimed his injuries had effects lasting more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement. The respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner's conditions. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on January 21, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Special Master Daniel T. Horner reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. An award of $141,554.05 was made as a lump sum payment to the petitioner for all items of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent was represented by Mollie Danielle Gorney.

Theory of causation field:
William Starnes alleged that his October 18, 2016 influenza vaccination caused Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. The stipulation did not detail the theory of causation, expert testimony, or specific medical evidence. The award was $141,554.05 as a lump sum. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of causation or any expert opinions.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01181-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-02-19
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/22/2021) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (tkp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-01181-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/19/21 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1181V
Filed: January 22, 2021
UNPUBLISHED
WILLIAM STARNES,
Petitioner,
Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS); Chronic
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
Inflammatory Demyelinating
HUMAN SERVICES,
Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Mollie Danielle Gorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On August 13, 2019, 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 he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) and
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) as a result of his October
18, 2016 flu vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed January 21, 2021, at ¶¶ 4.
Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the effects of his injuries for more than six
months and that there has been no prior award or settlement for damages as a result of
his condition. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 5. “Respondent denies that the influenza
vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS, CIDP, or any other injury or his current
condition ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on January 21, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, it will
be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. See 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 the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, it will be
redacted 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-01181-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/19/21 Page 2 of 7
reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms
set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $141,554.05 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 § 15(a). Id.
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/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
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

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