VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-02267
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-02267
Petitioner: HOLLY O’DEA, as the Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF DOLORES WILLIAMS
Filed: 2021-12-07
Decided: 2023-03-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-16
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 355022

AI-assisted case summary:
Holly O’Dea, as the personal representative of the Estate of Dolores Williams, filed a petition alleging that Dolores Williams suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 16, 2020, and that this injury led to her death on November 4, 2020. The case was filed on December 7, 2021. Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that Ms. Williams suffered a Table injury (GBS) within the Table timeframe, that her death was a complication of her GBS, and that the claim was timely filed. The respondent also confirmed that Ms. Williams received her vaccination in the United States and that there was no evidence of an unrelated factor being a more likely cause of her injuries and death. A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 4, 2022. Subsequently, on February 15, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $355,022.64, which included $250,000 for the death benefit, $105,000 for pain and suffering, and $22.64 for unreimbursable past expenses. Petitioner agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding the full proffered amount on March 20, 2023.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-02267-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-11-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/04/2022) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-02267-UNJ Document 23 Filed 11/03/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-2267V
UNPUBLISHED
HOLLY O’DEA, as the Personal Chief Special Master Corcoran
Representative of ESTATE OF
DOLORES WILLIAMS, Filed: October 4, 2022
Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU);
v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On December 7, 2021, Holly O’Dea, as personal representative of the Estate of
Dolores Williams, 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 Ms. Williams suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of
an influenza vaccine she received on October 16, 2020. Petition at 1. Petitioner further
alleges that Ms. Williams died as a result of her vaccine injury. Petition at ¶7. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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-02267-UNJ Document 23 Filed 11/03/22 Page 2 of 2
On October 3, 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
Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”). Id. at 3-4. Respondent
further agrees that “the records also show that this case was timely filed, that Ms. Williams
received her vaccination in the United States, that her death from GBS satisfies the
statutory severity requirement, and there is also no evidence of a factor unrelated that is
a more likely cause of her injuries and death. Id. at 4.
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-02267-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-03-20
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/16/2023) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-02267-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/20/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-2267V
UNPUBLISHED
HOLLY O’DEA, as personal Chief Special Master Corcoran
representative of the Estate of Dolores
Williams, Filed: February 16, 2023
Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU);
v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Barre Syndrome (GBS)
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On December 7, 2021, Holly O’Dea, as personal representative for the Estate of
Dolores Williams, 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 Ms. Williams suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of
an influenza vaccination she received on October 16, 2020. Petition at 1. Ms. Williams
died as a result of her GBS. Id. at ¶6-7. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 4, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for Ms. Williams’ GBS. On February 15, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer
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-02267-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/20/23 Page 2 of 5
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded
$355,022.64, representing $250,000 for the death benefit, $105,000 in actual pain and
suffering, and $22.64 in past unreimbursable expenses. 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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $355,022.64, representing $250,000 for the death benefit, $105,000
in actual pain and suffering, and $22.64 in past unreimbursable expenses. 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-02267-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/20/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
HOLLY O’DEA, as the Personal )
Representative of the ESTATE OF DOLORES )
WILLIAMS, )
) No. 21-2267V
Petitioner, ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
v. )
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On December 7, 2021, Holly O’Dea (“petitioner”) as personal representative of the Estate
of Dolores Williams, decedent, 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 the influenza vaccine administered to her mother, Dolores Williams, on
October 16, 2020, caused her to develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”), ultimately leading
to her death on November 4, 2020. On October 3, 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report, concluding that Ms. Williams suffered GBS as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table timeframe, and that her death was a
complication of her treatment for GBS. ECF No. 19. On October 4, 2022, the Chief Special
Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a lump sum of $355,022.64 ($250,000.00 for the death benefit; $105,000.00 for pain and

Case 1:21-vv-02267-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/20/23 Page 4 of 5
suffering; and $22.64 for unreimbursable past expenses). This amount represents all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner
agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the Court award petitioner a lump sum payment of
$355,022.64, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, as the personal representative of the
estate of her mother, Dolores Williams.1 Petitioner agrees.
III. Summary of Recommended Payment
Lump sum payment to petitioner, HOLLY O’DEA, as personal
representative of the ESTATE OF DOLORES WILLIAMS: $355,022.64
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Holly O’Dea has demonstrated that she is the legal representative of the Estate of Dolores
Williams for the purposes of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(b)(1)(A). See Petitioner’s Exhibit 7.
2

Case 1:21-vv-02267-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/20/23 Page 5 of 5
/s James V. Lopez
James V. Lopez
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3655
Fax: (202) 616-4310
Email: james.lopez@usdoj.gov
Date: February 15, 2023
3