{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01461","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01461-2","petitioner_identifier":"Charles Walter","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":62.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-08-22","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":131618,"decision_date":"2024-03-27","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:33:06.252168+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Charles Walter, age 62, received an influenza vaccine on August 22, 2018, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a condition listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. The Respondent conceded entitlement, acknowledging that Petitioner met the criteria for a Table Injury. The case proceeded to damages. Petitioner sought $140,000 for pain and suffering and $1,618.16 for unreimbursed expenses, citing diagnostic delays and early retirement. Respondent proposed $58,000 for pain and suffering, characterizing the GBS as mild and disputing the necessity of early retirement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $130,000 for pain and suffering and $1,618.16 for expenses. The award for pain and suffering was based on the mild nature of the GBS, but also considered the heightened suffering due to diagnostic difficulties, referencing the comparable case of Sand. The expense award included mileage reimbursement at the IRS business rate. The decision was issued on March 27, 2024.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-06-11","case_summary":"Charles Walter, a 62-year-old adult, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 11, 2021. He alleged that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a defined Table Injury, after receiving an influenza vaccine on August 22, 2018. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded entitlement to compensation on June 23, 2022, acknowledging that Mr. Walter met the criteria for a Table injury. Following the concession of entitlement, the parties were unable to resolve the issue of damages, leading to a briefing schedule ordered by the Special Master. Mr. Walter sought $140,000.00 for pain and suffering, emphasizing his delayed GBS diagnosis and early retirement. He also sought $1,618.16 for unreimbursed expenses, including mileage for medical appointments, calculated using the IRS business rate. The respondent argued for a lower pain and suffering award of $58,000.00, characterizing Mr. Walter's GBS as mild and disputing that his early retirement was solely attributable to the illness. The respondent also argued for a lower reimbursement rate for mileage. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the medical records, affidavits, and arguments presented. He found that Mr. Walter suffered a mild GBS illness with an acute phase lasting a few months, but his suffering was heightened by diagnostic difficulties. Mr. Walter experienced two hospitalizations, with the second resulting in a misdiagnosis of statin myopathy or peripheral neuropathy before he was correctly diagnosed with GBS thirteen days later. Although his symptoms improved with outpatient IVIG therapy, the Special Master did not find sufficient support for the claim that his early retirement was solely due to GBS, noting his age and other conditions likely played a role. In determining the award for pain and suffering, Special Master Corcoran considered comparable cases, particularly the case of Sand, where a similar delayed diagnosis and mild GBS resulted in a $130,000.00 award. He found this amount to be appropriate for Mr. Walter. Regarding expenses, the Special Master awarded the full amount of $1,618.16 requested by Mr. Walter, agreeing to use the IRS business mileage rate for reimbursement, consistent with prior program decisions. In conclusion, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Charles Walter a lump sum of $131,618.16, comprising $130,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $1,618.16 for past unreimbursed expenses. The decision was issued on March 27, 2024.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Charles Walter","petitioner_attorney_name":"Ronald Craig Homer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Conway, Homer, P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"Boston, MA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:04","attorney_canonical_keys":"|ronald-homer|","firm_canonical_key":"conway-homer","package_title":"WALTER v. 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