VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00263
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00263
Petitioner: Lawrence Knight
Filed: 2022-03-08
Decided: 2023-06-16
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2019-09-25
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 160000

AI-assisted case summary:
Lawrence Knight filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on September 25, 2019. He stated that the vaccination was administered in the United States, his GBS symptoms persisted for more than six months, and he had not filed any other action or received compensation for his injury. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement, determining that Mr. Knight satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. The respondent also agreed that the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the statutory severity requirement was met. Based on the concession of entitlement, the court found Mr. Knight entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The parties proffered an award of $160,000.00 for pain and suffering, which the court approved. The award was to be paid as a lump sum in the form of a check payable to Mr. Knight.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00263-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-02-27
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/24/2023) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 21 Filed 02/27/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-263V
UNPUBLISHED
LAWRENCE KNIGHT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 24, 2023
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.
Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 8, 2022, Lawrence Knight 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 he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
resulting from adverse effects of the influenza vaccination received on September 25,
2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was administered within
the United States, his GBS symptoms persisted for more than six months, and neither he,
nor any other party, has ever filed any action, or received compensation in the form of an
award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-2. 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 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 21 Filed 02/27/23 Page 2 of 2
On December 27, 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 determined that “[P]etitioner has satisfied the
criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (‘Table’) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (‘QAI’).” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that “the case was timely filed,
that the vaccine was received in the United States, and that [P]etitioner satisfies the
statutory severity requirement by suffering the residual effects or complications of his
injury for more than six months after vaccine administration. Petitioner also avers that he
has not ‘received an award or settlement for [his] vaccine injuries” and that he has not
“filed a civil action.’”. Id. Respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation is
appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Id. at 5.
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_22-vv-00263-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-06-16
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/15/2023) regarding 24 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/16/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-263V
UNPUBLISHED
LAWRENCE KNIGHT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 15, 2023
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 8, 2022, Lawrence Knight 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 he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
resulting from adverse effects of the influenza vaccination received on September 25,
2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was administered within
the United States, his GBS symptoms persisted for more than six months, and neither he,
nor any other party, has ever filed any action, or received compensation in the form of an
award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-2. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 24, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On May 12, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
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 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/16/23 Page 2 of 5
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $160,000.00 for pain
and suffering. Proffer at 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 $160,000.00 for pain and suffering 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 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/16/23 Page 3 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
LAWRENCE KNIGHT,
Petitioner,
Case No. 22-263V (ECF)
v. CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
CORCORAN
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Procedural History
On March 8, 2022, Lawrence Knight (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation (“Pet.”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges
that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
administered on September 25, 2019. Pet. at 1.
On December 27, 2022, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report, conceding
entitlement in this case. ECF Doc. No. 18 at 1. On January 24, 2023, the Court issued its
Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF Doc.
No. 18.

Case 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/16/23 Page 4 of 5
II. Items of Compensation and Form of the Award
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded $160,000.00. The award is comprised of the following: $160,000.00 for pain
and suffering. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner
would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) regarding his September 25, 2019, flu
vaccination. Petitioner agrees.1
III. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $160,000.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner. Petitioner agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this
case.
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
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 medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00263-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/16/23 Page 5 of 5
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ Mark K. Hellie
MARK K. HELLIE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
T: (202) 616-4208
E: mark.hellie@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 12, 2023
3