VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00851 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00851 Petitioner: James D. Woodcock Filed: 2021-02-03 Decided: 2022-12-13 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-10-30 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 155000 AI-assisted case summary: On February 3, 2021, James D. Woodcock filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on October 30, 2018. He further alleged that he suffered from the residual effects of his GBS for more than six months. Following Mr. Woodcock's death, his wife, Marlene Woodcock, was substituted as Petitioner as Personal Representative for the Estate of James D. Woodcock on April 14, 2022. The Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused the decedent's alleged GBS or any other injury or death, and denied that the decedent's alleged injuries were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. On December 13, 2022, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, a lump sum award of $155,000.00, payable to Petitioner, was granted for all items of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. David P. Murphy represented the Petitioner, and Mitchell Jones represented the Respondent. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. Theory of causation field: Petitioner alleged that an influenza vaccine received on October 30, 2018, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. The stipulation resulted in a lump sum award of $155,000.00. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or name any experts. The case was represented by David P. Murphy for Petitioner and Mitchell Jones for Respondent. The decision date was December 13, 2022. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00851-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-01-17 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/13/2022) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0851V UNPUBLISHED MARLENE WOODCOCK, As Personal Chief Special Master Corcoran Representative for the Estate of James D. Woodcock, Filed: December 13, 2022 Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint v. Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Syndrome (GBS) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. David P. Murphy, Greenfield, IN, for Petitioner. Mitchell Jones, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On February 3, 2021, James D. Woodcock 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 alleged that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on October 30, 2018. Petition at ¶1; Stipulation, filed at December 13, 2022, ¶2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered from the residual effects of his GBS for more than six months. See Petition at ¶37; Stipulation at ¶4. Petitioner’s wife was substituted as Petitioner on April 14, 2022 after Petitioner’s death. ECF No. 36. Respondent denies “that the flu vaccine caused the decedent’s alleged GBS or any other injury or death; and denies that the decedent’s alleged injuries are sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶6. 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 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on December 13, 2022, 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 my decision 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 $155,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:21-vv-00851-UNJ Document 47 Filed 01/17/23 Page 7 of 7