VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01271 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01271 Petitioner: Robin Rossmann Filed: 2020-09-25 Decided: 2025-08-07 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-09-29 Condition: cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 135000 AI-assisted case summary: On September 25, 2020, Robin Rossmann filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 29, 2017 caused cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The public decision is a stipulation and does not describe the onset, cardiac testing, treatment course, or expert opinions. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Rossmann's cardiac condition or that her current condition was vaccine-related. The parties nevertheless agreed to resolve the case. On August 7, 2025, Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation and awarded Ms. Rossmann $135,000 for all damages available under Section 15(a). She was represented by Caitlin H. Walton of Essex Richards, PA. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on September 29, 2017, adult exact age not stated, alleged cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. COMPENSATED by joint stipulation. Respondent denied causation and sequela, but stipulated to $135,000 for all damages. Public stipulation does not detail onset, cardiac testing, treatment, or expert opinions. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen, August 7, 2025. Attorney: Caitlin H. Walton, Essex Richards, Charlotte NC. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01271-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-16 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/07/2025) regarding 58 DECISION on Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (hs) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: August 7, 2025 * * * * * * * * * * * * * ROBIN ROSSMANN, * * Petitioner, * No. 20-1271V * v. * Special Master Gowen * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Caitlin H. Walton, Essex Richards, PA, Charlotte, NC, for petitioner. Tyler King, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent. DECISION ON STIPULATION1 On September 25, 2020, Robin Rossmann (“petitioner”), filed her claim in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petition (ECF No. 1). Petitioner alleged that she suffered from cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure caused-in-fact by the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on September 29, 2017. Id. On August 7, 2025, respondent filed a stipulation providing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 57). Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged cardiomyopathy and/or congestive heart failure were caused by the flu vaccine. Id. at ¶ 6. Further, respondent denies that petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Id. Nevertheless, maintaining their respective positions, the parties now 1 Pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002, see 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012), because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it to a publicly available website. This decision will appear at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc or on the Court of Federal Claims website. This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. Before the decision is posted on the court’s website, each party has 14 days to file a motion requesting redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). “An objecting party must provide the court with a proposed redacted version of the decision.” Id. If neither party files a motion for redaction within 14 days, the decision will be posted on the court’s website without any changes. Id. 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-1 to -34 (2012) (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. Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 2 of 7 agree that the issues between them shall be settled and request that a decision should be entered awarding petitioner compensation as described in the stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The stipulation provides: 1) A lump sum payment of $135,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel ILOTA 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). I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. The Clerk of the Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master 3 Entry of judgment is expedited by each party’s filing notice renouncing the right to seek review. Vaccine Rule 11(a). 2 Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01271-UNJ Document 59 Filed 09/16/25 Page 7 of 7