VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00199
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00199
Petitioner: Richard Goff
Filed: 2023-12-19
Decided: 2024-01-19
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-17
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 190000

AI-assisted case summary:
On December 19, 2023, Mira Goff, as administrator of the Estate of Richard Goff, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition sought compensation for injuries allegedly related to Richard Goff's receipt of an influenza vaccine on September 17, 2020. The petition alleged that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Goff to suffer Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), which ultimately led to his death. The respondent denied that the vaccine caused Mr. Goff's alleged injuries, any other injury or condition, or his death. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation on December 19, 2023. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, an award of a lump sum of $190,000.00, payable to Petitioner as legal representative of the estate, was granted for all items of damages. The decision noted that the parties could jointly file notice to renounce the right to seek review to expedite entry of judgment. Petitioner's counsel was Simina Vourlis, and respondent's counsel was Meghan Murphy.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Mira Goff, as administrator of the Estate of Richard Goff, alleged that Richard Goff received an influenza vaccine on September 17, 2020, and subsequently developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), which led to his death. Respondent denied that the vaccine caused the alleged injuries or death. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding the estate $190,000.00 as a lump sum for all items of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or detailed clinical information regarding Mr. Goff's condition or death. Petitioner's counsel was Simina Vourlis, and respondent's counsel was Meghan Murphy. The decision was issued on January 19, 2024.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00199-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-01-19
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/19/2023) regarding 38 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00199-UNJ Document 43 Filed 01/19/24 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0199V
MIRA GOFF as administrator of the
ESTATE OF RICHARD GOFF, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: December 19, 2023
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Simina Vourlis, Law Offices of Simina Vourlis, Columbus, OH, for Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On February 23, 2022, Mira Goff, as administrator of the Estate of Richard Goff,
filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). The petition seeks
compensation for injuries leading to the death of Richard Goff (“Mr. Goff”) allegedly
related to his receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 17, 2020. Petition at 1;
Stipulation, filed at December 19, 2023, ¶¶ 1-4. The petition alleges that the flu vaccine
caused Mr. Goff to suffer Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”) which ultimately led to his
death. Petition at 1; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-4. “Respondent denies that the vaccine caused
Mr. Goff to develop and of the alleged injuries, any other injury or condition, or his death.”
Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on December 19, 2023, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
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 1:22-vv-00199-UNJ Document 43 Filed 01/19/24 Page 2 of 8
stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set
forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $190,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, as
legal representative of the estate of Richard Goff. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This
amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available
under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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

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