{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-1","petitioner_identifier":"Terry W. Chrisman","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-11-16","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2024-05-14","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:34:40.892509+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":3,"theory_of_causation":"Table","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-09-13","case_summary":"Terry Chrisman filed a claim alleging that an influenza vaccine received on November 16, 2018, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). He sought compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, asserting it was a Table claim. The medical records indicated that Mr. Chrisman had pre-existing conditions including COPD and chronic pain. Prior to vaccination, he experienced symptoms of sinusitis and COPD exacerbation, and shortly before vaccination, he was hospitalized for dizziness, blurry vision, and headache, with tests ruling out serious conditions. After vaccination, he reported new or returning symptoms of dizziness, stumbling, blurry vision, and weakness in his legs. His wife reported symptom onset as early as November 17, 2018, one day after vaccination, while other records suggested onset within 48 hours or up to three days post-vaccination. During a subsequent hospitalization, doctors considered GBS as a possible diagnosis but noted his reflexes were intact and he had no arm weakness, which were inconsistent with typical GBS. Testing, including an EMG, was largely unrevealing or normal. While a physician's assistant later opined that Mr. Chrisman likely had flu vaccine-associated GBS, the Chief Special Master found this opinion less reliable as it was given years after the event and in the context of litigation. The court determined that the evidence did not preponderantly show that Mr. Chrisman actually suffered from GBS, and that even if GBS were considered, the onset timing was inconsistent with the Table requirements for a flu vaccine-GBS claim. Therefore, the court denied entitlement, finding no cognizable vaccine-caused injury. Subsequently, the court awarded attorney's fees and costs to Mr. Chrisman because his claim had a reasonable basis and was brought in good faith, despite being unsuccessful.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Terry W. Chrisman","petitioner_attorney_name":"Kevin A. Mack","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Kevin A. Mack, LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Tiffin, OH","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:00","attorney_canonical_keys":"|kevin-mack|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-kevin-a-mack","package_title":"CHRISMAN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-0","title":"CHRISMAN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/18/2024) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (mva) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-05-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":326595,"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-01845/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-1","title":"CHRISMAN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 4/18/2024) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ag) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-08-05","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":288427,"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-01845/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01845-1"}]}