VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01440 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01440 Petitioner: Richard Miszewski Filed: 2020-10-22 Decided: 2022-04-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-01-22 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 115000 AI-assisted case summary: Richard Miszewski filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 22, 2020, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on January 22, 2018. The respondent conceded that the petitioner's GBS was consistent with the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS following a flu vaccination and that it was caused-in-fact by the vaccine. The respondent also found that the onset of symptoms fell within the Table's timeframe of 3 to 42 days and that the petitioner's injury persisted for more than six months. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 22, 2022, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 29, 2022, a decision awarding damages was issued. The parties stipulated to an award of $115,000.00 for pain and suffering, which was awarded as a lump sum payment to the competent adult petitioner. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01440-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-04-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/22/2022) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 34 Filed 04/22/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1440V UNPUBLISHED RICHARD MISZEWSKI, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 22, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent. Phillip S. Georges, Phillip S. Georges, PLLC, Nashville, TN, for Petitioner. Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 22, 2020, Richard Miszewski 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 he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on January 22, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges his GBS has persisted for more than six months. Petition at ¶ 69. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 21, 2022, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Ruling 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 34 Filed 04/22/22 Page 2 of 2 1. Specifically, Respondent “concluded that Petitioner’s alleged GBS is consistent with the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS following the seasonal flu vaccination, and that it was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine he received on January 22, 2018. Id. at 7. Respondent “found that the timing of the onset of Petitioner’s symptoms fell within 3 to 42 days.” Id. Respondent further agrees that “Petitioner’s records show that he suffered the sequela of his injury for more than six months after vaccination.” Id. In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01440-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-04-29 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/23/2022) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/29/22 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1440V UNPUBLISHED RICHARD MISZEWSKI, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 23, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent. Phillip S. Georges, Phillip S. Georges, PLLC, Nashville, TN, for Petitioner. Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 22, 2020, Richard Miszewski 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 he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on January 22, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 22, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for his GBS. On March 22, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $115,000.00 in pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. 1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (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, 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/29/22 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $115,000.000, consisting of pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief 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-01440-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/29/22 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) RICHARD MISZEWSKI, ) ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 20-1440V ) Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ) ECF ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On October 22, 2020, Richard Miszewski filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza vaccine he received on January 22, 2018. Petition at Introduction. On March 21, 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury. ECF 21. On March 22, 2022, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF 23. I. Item of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $115,000.00, consisting of pain and suffering, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 1 Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/29/22 Page 4 of 5 II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $115,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Richard Miszewski: $115,000.00 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:20-vv-01440-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/29/22 Page 5 of 5 /s/ Colleen C. Hartley COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-3644 Email: colleen.hartley@usdoj.gov DATED: March 22, 2022 3