VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01485
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01485
Petitioner: Christine Rottino
Filed: 2019-09-26
Decided: 2020-11-16
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-06
Condition: Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 81137

AI-assisted case summary:
Christine Rottino filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 26, 2019, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 6, 2016. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On October 1, 2020, the Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, agreeing that she met the criteria of the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS with onset between three and forty-two days after vaccination and no apparent alternative cause. A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 2, 2020, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On October 15, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $81,137.89, representing $76,000.00 for pain and suffering and $5,137.89 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding damages on November 16, 2020, granting Petitioner a lump sum payment of $81,137.89.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01485-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-11-02
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/02/2020) 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-01485-UNJ Document 29 Filed 11/02/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1485V
UNPUBLISHED
CHRISTINE ROTTINO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 2, 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.
Jessica E. Choper, Britcher Leone, L.L.C., Glen Rock, NJ, for petitioner.
Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On September 26, 2019, Christine Rottino 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 that she suffered Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 6, 2016. Petition at 1. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 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 agrees “that petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of
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-01485-UNJ Document 29 Filed 11/02/20 Page 2 of 2
GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there
is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 5.
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-01485-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-11-16
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/15/2020) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-01485-UNJ Document 30 Filed 11/16/20 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1485V
UNPUBLISHED
CHRISTINE ROTTINO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 15, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Jessica E. Choper, Britcher Leone, L.L.C., Glen Rock, NJ, for petitioner.
Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On September 26, 2019, Christine Rottino 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 that she suffered Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 6, 2016. Petition at 1. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 2, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On October 15, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $81,137.89
(representing $76,000.00 for pain and suffering and $5,137.89 for past unreimbursable
expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the 1-2United 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-01485-UNJ Document 30 Filed 11/16/20 Page 2 of 5
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 a lump
sum payment of $81,137.89 (representing $76,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$5,137.89 for past unreimbursable expenses) 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-01485-UNJ Document 30 Filed 11/16/20 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
CHRISTINE ROTTINO, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-1485V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On September 26, 2019, Christine Rottino (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34
(“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré
syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 6,
2016. Petition at 1. On October 1, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that compensation be awarded, and the
Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation
the following day. ECF No. 24; ECF No. 25.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $76,000.00 in actual pain and
suffering. Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

Case 1:19-vv-01485-UNJ Document 30 Filed 11/16/20 Page 4 of 5
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $5,137.89, as provided under the
Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
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
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $81,137.89, representing
compensation for pain and suffering ($76,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses ($5,137.89),
in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Christine Rottino.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Christine Rottino: $ 81,137.89
Respectfully submitted,
JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:19-vv-01485-UNJ Document 30 Filed 11/16/20 Page 5 of 5
s/ Sarah C. Duncan
SARAH C. DUNCAN
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 514-9729
Fax: (202) 616-4310
DATED: October 15, 2020
3