VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00580
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00580
Petitioner: Danielle Cooley
Filed: 2021-01-21
Decided: 2022-01-18
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-10-10
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 107394

AI-assisted case summary:
Danielle Cooley filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination administered on October 10, 2018. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, concluding that she suffered GBS following a flu vaccine within the Table time period and that there was no evidence of an unrelated cause. Respondent also agreed that the claim met the statutory severity requirements because Petitioner experienced sequelae of her GBS for more than six months. Based on Respondent's concession and the evidence, entitlement to compensation was granted. Subsequently, a damages decision was issued based on a proffer. Respondent recommended an award of $107,394.86, which Petitioner agreed to. This award comprised $100,000.00 for pain and suffering and $7,394.86 for past unreimbursable expenses. The Chief Special Master awarded Petitioner the lump sum of $107,394.86.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00580-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-03-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/21/2021) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 23 Filed 03/03/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0580V
UNPUBLISHED
DANIELLE COOLEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 21, 2021
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.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 11, 2020, Danielle Cooley 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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on October 10, 2018. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 20, 2021, 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 has “concluded that petitioner suffered GBS following a flu
vaccine within the Table time period, and there is not a preponderance of the medical
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 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 23 Filed 03/03/21 Page 2 of 2
evidence that petitioner’s GBS was due to a factor unrelated to the vaccination.” Id. at 3.
Respondent further agrees that “[t]he claim also meets the statutory severity requirements
because petitioner experienced sequelae of her GBS for more than six months.” Id.
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_20-vv-00580-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-01-18
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/13/2021) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/18/22 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0580V
UNPUBLISHED
DANIELLE COOLEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 13, 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.
Leah Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Christine Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 11, 2020, Danielle Cooley 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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on October 10, 2018. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 21, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS resulting from a flu vaccine. On December 13, 2021,
Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner
should be awarded $107,394.86. Proffer at 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/18/22 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $107,394.86 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This award
is comprised of: (1) $100,000.00 in pain and suffering and (2) $7,394.86 in past
unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 2.
These amounts represent 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 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/18/22 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
)
DANIELLE COOLEY, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-580V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
I. Procedural History
On May 11, 2020, Danielle Cooley (“petitioner”), filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, as
amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), for an injury petitioner allegedly sustained as a result of an
influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on October 10, 2018. See Petition. On January 20,
2021, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table timeframe. See ECF No. 18. On January
21, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner
was entitled to compensation for a GBS Table injury. See ECF No. 19.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/18/22 Page 4 of 5
II. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses of $7,394.86. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B).
Petitioner agrees.
The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
III. 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 following2: a lump sum payment of $107,394.86, in the form of
a check payable to petitioner.
IV. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Danielle Cooley: $107,394.86
2 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 pain
and suffering.
2

Case 1:20-vv-00580-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/18/22 Page 5 of 5
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/Christine Mary Becer
CHRISTINE MARY BECER
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) 616-3665
Christine.m.becer@usdoj.gov
Date: December 13, 2021
3