{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-1","petitioner_identifier":"Erik Koonce","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":50.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-10-17","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome and Bell's palsy","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":107614,"decision_date":"2024-07-29","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:33:27.357408+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":1,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Erik Koonce, age 50, received an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2018. He alleged that the vaccine caused Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell's palsy. Mr. Koonce sought compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The Special Master found that Mr. Koonce satisfied the criteria for an on-Table GBS injury, with diagnoses from treating neurologists including Dr. John Khoury, Dr. Richard Buckler, and Dr. Eric Lancaster, and medical records showing elevated spinal fluid protein consistent with GBS. The Special Master also found that Mr. Koonce's Bell's palsy met the severity requirement, lasting more than six months with observed subtle synkinesis. The Secretary of Health and Human Services initially contested entitlement based on a lack of objective limb weakness for GBS but later conceded entitlement. The case proceeded to damages, and Special Master Christian J. Moran awarded $107,614.03, comprising $70,000 for GBS pain and suffering, $27,000 for Bell's palsy pain and suffering, $10,494.43 for lost earnings, and $119.60 for expenses. Petitioner counsel was Laura J. Levenberg, and respondent counsel was Sarah B. Rifkin. The decision date was July 29, 2024.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-07-09","case_summary":"Erik Koonce, a 50-year-old pilot, filed a petition on July 9, 2021, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 17, 2018, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell's palsy. Mr. Koonce alleged entitlement to compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The Secretary of Health and Human Services initially contested entitlement, arguing that Mr. Koonce did not meet the regulatory definition of GBS due to a lack of objective limb weakness. However, the Secretary later conceded entitlement, and the case proceeded to the determination of damages. \n\nMr. Koonce first experienced symptoms on November 7, 2018, approximately one day after vaccination, reporting facial numbness and left facial droop, which was diagnosed as Bell's palsy. He was treated with prednisone and showed improvement. Around November 23, 2018, he developed numbness and weakness in his feet that ascended his legs. He sought hospital treatment on November 30, 2018, where a lumbar puncture revealed elevated protein levels consistent with GBS. He was diagnosed with Miller Fisher variant of GBS and received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, after which his symptoms improved. His treating neurologists, including Dr. John Khoury, Dr. Richard Buckler, and Dr. Eric Lancaster, provided diagnoses of GBS or symptoms suggestive of GBS. Dr. Lancaster's report noted that Mr. Koonce had a limited form of GBS with less disability than usual. Regarding Bell's palsy, Dr. Lancaster observed subtle synkinesis on the left side of Mr. Koonce's face in June 2019, indicating the condition lasted more than six months. \n\nSpecial Master Christian J. Moran issued a ruling on January 3, 2024, finding Mr. Koonce entitled to compensation for both GBS, as a Table injury, and Bell's palsy. The case then proceeded to damages. In a decision dated July 29, 2024, Special Master Moran awarded Mr. Koonce a total of $107,614.03. This award included $70,000 for pain and suffering related to GBS, $27,000 for pain and suffering related to Bell's palsy, $10,494.43 for lost earnings, and $119.60 for unreimbursed expenses. The award was to be paid as a lump sum. Petitioner counsel was Laura J. Levenberg of Muller Brazil, and respondent counsel was Sarah B. Rifkin of the United States Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Christian J. Moran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Laura J. Levenberg","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|laura-levenberg|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"KOONCE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-0","title":"KOONCE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 1/3/24) regarding 53 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (dksc) Service on parties made. (Main Document 55 replaced on 1/29/2024 to correct Petitioner's first name.) 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(ceo) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-07-29","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":286971,"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_21-vv-01560/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-2","title":"KOONCE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/20/2025) regarding 72 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (jjb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-03-14","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01560-cl-extra-10823306","title":"Koonce v. 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