VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00284
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00284
Petitioner: Cassie Karpenski
Filed: 2022-03-11
Decided: 2023-06-02
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-08
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 188951

AI-assisted case summary:
Cassie Karpenski filed a petition for compensation on March 11, 2022, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on September 8, 2020. She further alleged that her injury lasted longer than six months. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, stating that she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS with an onset of symptoms between three and forty-two days following vaccination. Respondent also agreed that the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the statutory severity requirement was met because the residual effects of her injury continued for more than six months after vaccination. A ruling on entitlement was issued on January 9, 2023, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On May 2, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending a total award of $188,951.71, consisting of $176,500.00 for pain and suffering, $658.75 for unreimbursed medical expenses, and $11,792.96 for lost wages. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Petitioner a lump sum payment of $188,951.71.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00284-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-02-13
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/09/2023) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00284-UNJ Document 22 Filed 02/13/23 Page 1 of 2
CORRECTED
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0284V
UNPUBLISHED
CASSIE KARPENSKI, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 9, 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.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 11, 2022, Cassie Karpenski 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 (“flu”) vaccine she received on September 8, 2020. Petition at 1.
Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the injury for longer than six months. Petition
at ¶¶ 3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On January 9, 2023, 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 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-00284-UNJ Document 22 Filed 02/13/23 Page 2 of 2
1. Specifically, Respondent states that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
Vaccine Injury Table (‘Table’) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (‘QAI’) for
GBS, with an onset of symptoms from three to forty-two days following flu vaccination...”
Id. at 7. Respondent further agrees that “[w]ith respect to other statutory and jurisdictional
issues, the records show that the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the
United States, and petitioner satisfies the statutory severity requirement because the
residual effects or complications of her injury continued for more than six months after
vaccine administration.” Id.
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-00284-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-06-02
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/03/2023) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00284-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/02/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0284V
UNPUBLISHED
CASSIE KARPENSKI, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 3, 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.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 11, 2022, Cassie Karpenski 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 (“flu”) vaccine she received on September 8, 2020. Petition at 1.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 9, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation. On May 2, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $188,951.71, consisting of
$176,500.00 for pain and suffering, $658.75 for unreimbursed medical expenses, and
$11,792.96 for lost wages. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that
1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action 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-00284-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/02/23 Page 2 of 5
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 $188,951.71 (consisting of $176,500.00 for pain and suffering,
$658.75 for unreimbursed medical expenses, and $11,792.96 for lost wages) 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-00284-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/02/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
CASSIE KARPENSKI,
Petitioner,
No. 22-284V
v. Chief Special Master Corcoran
SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On March 11, 2022, petitioner Cassie Karpenski (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.
§§ 300aa-1 to –34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza vaccination administered
September 8, 2020. Petition at 1.
On January 9, 2023, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, recommending that
compensation be awarded. ECF No. 18. The same day, this Court issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 19.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $188,951.71, consisting of
$176,500.00 for pain and suffering, $658.75 for unreimbursed medical expenses, and $11,792.96
for lost wages. This represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:22-vv-00284-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/02/23 Page 4 of 5
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $188,951.71, representing
compensation for all elements of economic and noneconomic damages, in the form of a check
payable to petitioner, Cassie Karpenski.
III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Cassie Karpenski: $188,951.71.
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant 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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00284-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/02/23 Page 5 of 5
s/ Jennifer A. Shah
Jennifer A. Shah
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) 305-2181
Jennifer.shah@usdoj.gov
Dated: May 2, 2023
3