{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-3","petitioner_identifier":"J. G.","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":38.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"hepatitis A","vaccination_date":"2018-04-19","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":189245,"decision_date":"2024-01-08","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:14:54.221325+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":36,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner J. G. filed a petition alleging GBS caused by a hepatitis A vaccine received on April 19, 2018. Petitioner's experts, Dr. S. Sohail Ahmed and Dr. Kazim A. Sheikh, opined that the hepatitis A vaccine more likely than not caused Petitioner's GBS. Dr. Ahmed proposed molecular mimicry and the alum adjuvant as potential mechanisms, citing case reports of GBS following hepatitis A infection and vaccination, and the vaccine's package insert. Dr. Sheikh focused on Petitioner's diagnosis and symptom onset, concluding Petitioner met Brighton and NINDS criteria for GBS, with onset on May 25, 2018 (36 days post-vaccination), which he deemed a medically acceptable temporal relationship. Respondent's experts, Dr. Thomas P. Leist and Dr. Robert Fujinami, argued against causation, stating Petitioner's symptoms were consistent with a sports injury (L5 radiculopathy and cervical sprain), that there was no established link between the hepatitis A vaccine and GBS, and that molecular mimicry was not a valid mechanism for this vaccine. Dr. Leist also argued Petitioner's symptom onset was outside the typical timeframe. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found Petitioner's diagnosis of GBS was supported by treating physicians and expert opinions, and that Petitioner met the Althen criteria. The Special Master found molecular mimicry to be a sound and reliable theory for vaccine-related GBS, and that Petitioner's clinical course, treating physicians' suspicions, and lack of alternative causes supported prong two. The 36-day onset was deemed medically appropriate for prong three. The Special Master concluded Petitioner was entitled to compensation. An award of $189,245.05 was granted, including $170,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, $12,814.25 for future pain and suffering (net present value), and $6,430.80 for past unreimbursed expenses. Attorneys for Petitioner were Anne Carrion Toale and Maglio Christopher and Toale. Attorney for Respondent was Julia Marter Collison. Special Master was Nora Beth Dorsey. Decision dates were February 13, 2023 (Entitlement) and January 8, 2024 (Damages).","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-06-01","case_summary":"On June 1, 2020, J. G., a 38-year-old adult, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Petitioner alleged that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of a hepatitis A vaccination administered on April 19, 2018. Petitioner's symptoms, including tingling in his extremities and back pain, began around May 25, 2018, approximately 36 days after vaccination. Respondent argued against compensation, suggesting the symptoms were due to a sports injury. Petitioner's experts, Dr. S. Sohail Ahmed and Dr. Kazim A. Sheikh, opined that Petitioner more likely than not developed GBS caused by the vaccine, citing potential mechanisms like molecular mimicry and the vaccine's adjuvant, and that his symptoms met diagnostic criteria for GBS. Respondent's expert, Dr. Thomas P. Leist, disagreed, stating Petitioner's symptoms were consistent with a lumbar disc herniation and cervical sprain from weightlifting, not GBS, and that there was no established link between the hepatitis A vaccine and GBS. Respondent's expert, Dr. Robert Fujinami, also opined there was no evidence for the hepatitis A vaccine inducing GBS by molecular mimicry and that the alum adjuvant was too weak to cause neurological complications. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on February 13, 2023, finding that Petitioner had provided preponderant evidence that his hepatitis A vaccine caused his GBS, satisfying the burden of proof under Althen v. Secretary of Health & Human Services. Petitioner was found to be entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on January 3, 2024, Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling Awarding Damages. The final award totaled $189,245.05, consisting of $170,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, $12,814.25 for future pain and suffering (net present value), and $6,430.80 for past unreimbursed expenses. The decision was finalized on January 8, 2024, with the parties agreeing to the net present value calculation for future pain and suffering.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Nora Beth Dorsey","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Anne Carrion Toale","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Maglio Christopher and Toale","petitioner_attorney_location":"Sarasota, FL","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|anne-toale|","firm_canonical_key":"maglio-christopher-and-toale","package_title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-0","title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER (Originally filed: 3/7/2023) regarding 71 Order on Motion to Redact Decision. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (kis) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-04-03","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"docketText matches skip keyword 'motion'","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-1","title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC RULING (Originally filed: 2/13/2023) regarding 67 Ruling on Entitlement, Order on Motion for Ruling on the Record. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (kis) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-04-03","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":532930,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-2","title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC RULING (Originally filed: 1/3/2024) regarding 84 Ruling on Damages. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (kis) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-01-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"no decision/ruling/opinion signal in docketText","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-3","title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/8/2024) regarding 86 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (kis) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-02-02","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-3/pdf","pdf_bytes":217657,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-3"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00664-4","title":"G. v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/29/2024) regarding 98 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (aevw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-08-27","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}