VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00618
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00618
Petitioner: Joanne Rebelo
Filed: 2020-05-18
Decided: 2025-09-19
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-12-04
Condition: transverse myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 65000

AI-assisted case summary:
On May 18, 2020, Joanne Rebelo filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on December 4, 2017, caused transverse myelitis.

The Secretary denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Rebelo's alleged neurologic injury. The public stipulation resolving the case does not describe the onset date, diagnostic imaging, hospitalization, steroid or other treatment, rehabilitation, or residual symptoms. It records the parties' settlement agreement rather than a detailed medical narrative.

On September 19, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation. Ms. Rebelo was awarded $65,000.00 in a lump sum for all damages available under section 15(a), payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. She was represented by Amy Senerth.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, December 4, 2017, adult exact age not stated, alleged transverse myelitis. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied vaccine causation. Public stipulation does not provide a detailed neurologic onset, hospitalization, imaging, treatment, or residual-symptom chronology. Award: $65,000 lump sum by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 19, 2025. Attorney Amy Senerth.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00618-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-14
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/19/2025) regarding 138 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (mjf) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-00618-UNJ Document 142 Filed 10/14/25 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: September 19, 2025
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
JOANNE REBELO, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * No. 20-618V
*
v. * Special Master Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation; Influenza
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse Myelitis
* (“TM”).
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1
On May 18, 2020, Joanne Rebelo (“Petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine
Injury Program2 alleging that she developed transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of an
influenza (“flu”) vaccination on December 4, 2017. Petition at Preamble (ECF No. 1).
On September 19, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of
compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 137). Respondent denies that Petitioner’s
alleged TM or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine and denies that the flu
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website and/or at
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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, the undersigned agrees that the
identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from
public access.
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All citations in this Decision
to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:20-vv-00618-UNJ Document 142 Filed 10/14/25 Page 2 of 7
vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or Petitioner’s current condition. Nevertheless, the
parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A.3 The undersigned finds the
stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the
terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
(1) A lump sum of $65,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.
This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora B. Dorsey
Nora B. Dorsey
Special Master
3 The Vinesign form has been omitted.
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:20-vv-00618-UNJ Document 142 Filed 10/14/25 Page 3 of 7
IN THE UNITED STA T ES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
JOANNE REBELO,
)
)
Petitioner,
) No. 20-618V
V. ) Special Master Dorsey
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES,
�
)
Respondent.
________________)
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Joanne Rebelo, 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 the
influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),
42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination on December 4, 2017.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Transverse Myelitis ("TM") that was caused-in­
fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner experienced the residual effects
of the alleged injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury.

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