VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01731
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01731
Petitioner: Rebekah Schaffer
Filed: 2021-08-19
Decided: 2024-02-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-10-08
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 144950

AI-assisted case summary:
Rebekah Schaffer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccination on October 8, 2018. The petition was filed on August 19, 2021. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Schaffer is entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that her condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for a flu/GBS injury, that her condition persisted for at least six months, and that there was no alternative cause for her condition. Based on this concession and the evidence, a ruling on entitlement was issued on June 27, 2022, finding Ms. Schaffer entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on January 11, 2024, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, agreeing to an award of $144,950.96. This amount included $132,500.00 for pain and suffering, $3,509.47 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $8,941.49 for past lost wages. Ms. Schaffer agreed with this proffered award. A decision awarding damages was issued on February 20, 2024, granting the lump sum payment of $144,950.96 to Rebekah Schaffer.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01731-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-07-28
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/27/2022) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ke) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/28/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-1731V
UNPUBLISHED
REBEKAH SCHAFFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 27, 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.
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On August 19, 2021, Rebekah Schaffer 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 “as a result of receiving the flu vaccination on
October 8, 2018, [Petitioner] suffered Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”).” Petition at ¶1.
Petitioner further alleges she “suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six
months after the administration of the flu vaccine.” Petition at ¶49. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 24, 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.
Specifically, Respondent states that “Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
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 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/28/22 Page 2 of 2
Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”) for
a flu/GBS Table injury.” Id. at 12. Respondent further agrees that “her condition has
persisted for at least six months, and there is no alternative cause that explains her
condition.” 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01731-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-02-20
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/12/2024) regarding 47 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-1731V
REBEKAH SCHAFFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 12, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On August 19, 2021, Rebekah Schaffer 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 she suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
following an influenza vaccination she received on October 8, 2018. Petition at 1. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 22, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her GBS. On January 11, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $144,950.96,
representing $132,500.00 for pain and suffering, $3,509.47 for past unreimbursable
expenses, and $8,941.49 for past lost wages. Proffer at 1-2. 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 Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018).

Case 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $144,950.96, representing $132,500.00 for pain and suffering,
$3,509.47 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $8,941.49 for past lost wages, 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 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
REBEKAH SCHAFFER, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 21-1731V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On August 19, 2021, Rebekah Schaffer (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or
“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré
Syndrome (“GBS”) following the receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
October 8, 2018. See Petition at 1. On June 24, 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. ECF No. 24. On June 27, 2022, Chief Special Master
Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No.
25.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $132,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,509.47. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
C. Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost wages related to
her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost
wages in the amount of $8,941.49. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
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 Chief Special Master Corcoran’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $144,950.96, in
the form of a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Rebekah Schaffer: $144,950.96
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
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,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:21-vv-01731-UNJ Document 51 Filed 02/20/24 Page 5 of 5
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Meghan R. Murphy
MEGHAN R. MURPHY
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-4264
meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov
DATED: January 11, 2024
3