VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00678 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00678 Petitioner: Heather Shaffer Filed: 2020-06-04 Decided: 2025-09-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-10-09 Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 300000 AI-assisted case summary: On June 4, 2020, Heather Shaffer filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 9, 2017 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. The publicly available stipulation is source-limited. It states the vaccine, the alleged condition, and the parties' settlement terms, but it does not describe symptom onset, neurologic examination findings, lumbar puncture or EMG results, hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation, or expert analysis. The Secretary denied that Ms. Shaffer suffered a Table GBS, denied that the flu vaccine caused GBS or any other injury, and denied that any current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. On September 9, 2025, the parties filed a joint stipulation resolving the case. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen Horner adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms. Shaffer $300,000.00 in a lump sum for all damages available under the Vaccine Act, payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. She was represented by Scott R. Taylor of Urban & Taylor in Milwaukee. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine, October 9, 2017, adult exact age not stated, alleged Guillain-Barre syndrome. COMPENSATED by stipulation for $300,000. Respondent denied Table GBS, causation-in-fact, and vaccine-related sequelae, but the parties resolved all damages by a lump-sum ACH payment to counsel's IOLTA account. The public stipulation does not provide onset, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, treatment, or expert detail. Special Master Horner, September 9, 2025. Attorney Scott R. Taylor, Urban & Taylor, Milwaukee. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00678-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-06 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/09/2025) regarding 63 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (cd) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-678V Filed: September 9, 2025 HEATHER SHAFFER, Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Scott B. Taylor, Urban & Taylor, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for petitioner. Catherine Elizabeth Stolar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On June 4, 2020, 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 she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of her October 9, 2017 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 3; Stipulation, filed September 9, 2025, at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition, and that her vaccine was administered in the United States. Petition at 3, 5; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3- 5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused in fact or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6. 1 Because this document contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted 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 document 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-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on September 9, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation 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 $300,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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 Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-00678-UNJ Document 64 Filed 10/06/25 Page 7 of 7