{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-1","petitioner_identifier":"Ronald E. White","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":70.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2017-11-01","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2023-12-12","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:59:52.633116+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":39,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Ronald E. White, age 70, received an influenza vaccine on November 1, 2017, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The petition alleged a Table claim for flu vaccine-induced GBS. The Chief Special Master (CSM) found Petitioner met the Table requirements (vaccination, GBS diagnosis, onset within 3-42 days). However, the CSM found Respondent carried the burden to prove an unrelated factor, concluding that an H. influenzae bacterial infection was the sole substantial factor causing Petitioner's GBS. Petitioner's expert, Dr. Lawrence Steinman, opined the flu vaccine caused GBS via molecular mimicry and questioned the H. influenzae infection's role, noting ambiguity in its confirmation. Respondent's expert, Dr. Kathleen Collins, opined that respiratory infections, including H. influenzae, are a greater risk factor for GBS than the flu vaccine, and that Petitioner's URI symptoms and subsequent H. influenzae diagnosis were the more likely cause. The CSM weighed the evidence, crediting Dr. Collins's assessment and medical literature associating H. influenzae infections with GBS, and found the infection predated and was the sole substantial cause of Petitioner's GBS, excluding the vaccine. The Court of Federal Claims affirmed the CSM's decision, finding the factual findings and legal conclusions were not arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. Petitioner's claim was denied. Attorneys: Lisa Annette Roquemore for Petitioner; Meghan Murphy for Respondent. Special Master: Brian H. Corcoran. Judge: Thompson M. Dietz. Decision Date: December 12, 2023.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-10-05","case_summary":"On October 5, 2020, Ronald E. White, born August 1, 1947, filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on November 1, 2017, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Mr. White had a pre-existing condition of chronic right lower extremity atrophy and weakness from a childhood polio infection, requiring a brace and later a walker for ambulation. His medical history also included hyperlipidemia, benign prostate hypertrophy, prostatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, carpal tunnel, and obesity. \n\nMr. White presented to a MinuteClinic on December 5, 2017, with a two-day history of non-productive cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and fatigue, along with a temperature of 99.6 degrees. He was diagnosed with a viral infection. Five days later, on December 10, 2017, he presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with generalized weakness that began approximately ten hours prior, accompanied by ongoing upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms that had persisted for ten days. He reported a fever several days before, cough, wheezing, and congestion. At the ED, he displayed +2/5 motor strength in all extremities and absent patellar reflexes. His white blood cell count was elevated. Concerned about GBS, he was transferred to Carolinas Medical Center. \n\nDuring his hospitalization, Mr. White's neurological condition worsened, and he was intubated on December 13, 2017. On December 14, 2017, a sputum sample revealed an H. influenzae infection. His chest X-ray showed worsening findings in both lungs. He received antibiotics and a tracheostomy. His differential diagnosis upon discharge included GBS and H. influenzae pneumonia. He was discharged to a long-term acute care hospital and later to inpatient rehabilitation, continuing to require significant assistance with mobility and self-care. In May 2018, he was discharged home with assistive devices. A note from May 28, 2018, stated he was diagnosed with GBS after a flu shot and about a week and a half of cold symptoms. In December 2018, his PCP noted sequelae from GBS, stating it developed after a flu vaccine two years prior. In August 2019, he underwent coronary bypass surgery, and a post-operative neurology consultation noted a history of GBS secondary to H. influenzae. \n\nChief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Mr. White met the initial requirements for a Table claim for flu vaccine-related GBS, with symptom onset 39 days after vaccination, which falls within the 3 to 42-day window. However, the government argued that an H. influenzae bacterial infection was the sole substantial cause of his GBS. The Chief Special Master agreed, finding that medical literature and expert testimony supported the conclusion that respiratory infections, including those caused by H. influenzae, are more likely to cause GBS than the flu vaccine. He determined that the evidence preponderantly supported that the H. influenzae infection was the more likely sole substantial factor causing Mr. White's GBS, thereby excluding the vaccine as a substantial factor. \n\nMr. White sought review of this decision. The Court of Federal Claims, Judge Thompson M. Dietz presiding, reviewed the Chief Special Master's decision. The Court found that the Chief Special Master's factual findings were rationally based on the record evidence, including Mr. White's statements, treating physician notes, and test results. The Court also found that the Chief Special Master correctly applied the legal standards regarding causation and the government's burden to prove an unrelated factor. The Court concluded that Mr. White had not demonstrated that the Chief Special Master's decision was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. \n\nTherefore, the Court denied Mr. White's motion for review and sustained the Chief Special Master's decision denying entitlement to compensation.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Lisa Annette Roquemore","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Lisa A. Roquemore","petitioner_attorney_location":"Rancho Santa Margarita, CA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|lisa-roquemore|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-lisa-a-roquemore","package_title":"WHITE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-0","title":"WHITE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/02/2023) regarding 34 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (saj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-06-27","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":442836,"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-01319/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-1","title":"WHITE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"JUDGE VACCINE REPORTED OPINION (PUBLIC VERSION) of 46 Judge Vaccine Order/Opinion. Signed by Judge Thompson M. Dietz. (sbp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-12-12","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":361154,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'opinion'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01319-1"}]}