VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00281
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00281
Petitioner: Shannon Puffinberger
Filed: 2022-03-11
Decided: 2024-06-07
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2019-09-16
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 124326

AI-assisted case summary:
Shannon Puffinberger filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 16, 2019. The petition stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury lasted longer than six months, and she had not received prior compensation. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, agreeing that her condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Based on this concession and the evidence, entitlement was granted. Subsequently, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering, plus $21,826.79 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. Petitioner agreed with this proposed award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding these amounts, totaling $124,326.79, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00281-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-01-17
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/16/2022) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 25 Filed 01/17/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0281V
UNPUBLISHED
SHANNON PUFFINBERGER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 16, 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.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 11, 2022, Shannon Puffinberger 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 Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 16, 2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner
further alleges the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury continued for
longer than six months, and neither Petitioner nor any other party has ever received
compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition
at ¶¶ 1, 6, 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 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 25 Filed 01/17/23 Page 2 of 2
On December 15, 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 agrees that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set
forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation
(“QAI”).” Id. at 7.
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

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00281-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-06-07
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/08/2024) regarding 43 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 47 Filed 06/07/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0281V
SHANNON PUFFINBERGER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 8, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 11, 2022, Shannon Puffinberger 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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 16, 2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner
further alleges the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury continued for
longer than six months, and neither Petitioner nor any other party has ever received
compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition
at ¶¶ 1, 6, 7. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On December 16, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for GBS. On May 8, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award
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 (2012).

Case 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 47 Filed 06/07/24 Page 2 of 5
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $102,500.00, plus
funds to satisfy a Medicaid lien. 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 the
following:
A. A lump sum payment of $102,500.00 (for pain and suffering) in the form of a
check payable to Petitioner; and
B. A lump sum payment of $21,826.79, representing compensation for
satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien, in the form of a
check payable jointly to Petitioner and:
Treasurer of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General
Financial Recovery Section
Attn: Valerie Hill
P.O. Box 610
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Treasurer of Virginia for satisfaction of
the Medicaid lien.
These amounts represent 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-00281-UNJ Document 47 Filed 06/07/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
SHANNON PUFFINBERGER,
Petitioner,
No. 22-281V (ECF)
v. Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On March 11, 2022, Shannon Puffinberger (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1
to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 16, 2019. See Petition at 1.
On December 15, 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule
4(c) Report, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table,
within the Table timeframe. ECF No. 21. On December 16, 2022, the Chief Special Master
issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 23.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a lump sum of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 47 Filed 06/07/24 Page 4 of 5
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy the
Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien in the amount of $21,826.79, which represents full
satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the
Commonwealth of Virginia may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
payments the Commonwealth of Virginia has made to or on behalf of petitioner from the date of
her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of her alleged
vaccine-related injury suffered on or about September 16, 2019, under Title XIX of the Social
Security Act.
The above amounts represent 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
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
two lump sum payments described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1
A. A lump sum payment of $102,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner;
and
B. A lump sum payment of $21,826.79, representing compensation for satisfaction of
the Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly
to petitioner and:
Treasurer of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General
Financial Recovery Section
Attn: Valerie Hill
P.O. Box 610
Richmond, Virginia 23218
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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00281-UNJ Document 47 Filed 06/07/24 Page 5 of 5
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Treasurer of Virginia for satisfaction of the
Medicaid lien.
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
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Alec Saxe
ALEC SAXE
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) 353-7722
E-mail: Alec.Saxe@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 8, 2024
3