VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00323
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00323
Petitioner: Bruce Matzner
Filed: 2022-12-27
Decided: 2023-01-27
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-11
Condition: Guillain Barré Syndrome
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Bruce Matzner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 27, 2022, alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the influenza vaccine on September 11, 2020. Mr. Matzner submitted medical records to support his claim. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Mr. Matzner is entitled to compensation. The respondent stated that Mr. Matzner satisfied the criteria for GBS as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen found that Mr. Matzner is entitled to compensation, and a separate damages order would be issued. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and entitlement was granted pending a determination of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Jessica A. Wallace represented the petitioner, and Mallori B. Openchowski represented the respondent.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Bruce Matzner alleged Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccine administered on September 11, 2020. The respondent conceded entitlement, stating that petitioner satisfied the criteria for GBS as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. The Special Master granted entitlement pending a damages determination. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or the breakdown of the award. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen issued the ruling on entitlement on January 27, 2023. Petitioner counsel was Jessica A. Wallace, and respondent counsel was Mallori B. Openchowski.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00323-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-01-27
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/27/2022) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen. (hs) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00323-UNJ Document 22 Filed 01/27/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: December 27, 2022
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
BRUCE MATZNER, * Unpublished
*
Petitioner, * No. 22-323V
*
v. * Special Master Gowen
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica A. Wallace, Siri & Glimstad LLP, Aventura, FL, for petitioner.
Mallori B. Openchowski, U.S. Dept. of Justice, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 24, 2022, Bruce Matzner (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that he suffered from
Guillain Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
September 11, 2020. Petition (ECF No. 1). Petitioner also filed accompanying medical records
to support his petition.
On December 26, 2022, respondent filed the Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that
petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Report (“Rept.”) (ECF No. 19).
Specifically, respondent states that petitioner has satisfied the criteria for GBS set forth in the
revised Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation
(“QAI”). Rept. at 4. Respondent requested that petitioner submit proof of damages related to his
GBS and its related sequelae. Id. at 5.
1 Pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002, see 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012), because this decision contains a
reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the website of the United States Court of
Federal Claims. The court’s website is at http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/aggregator/sources/7. This means the
decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. Before the decision is posted on the court’s
website, each party has 14 days to file a motion requesting redaction “of any information furnished by that party:
(1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that
includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). “An objecting party must provide the court with a proposed redacted version of the
decision.” Id. If neither party files a motion for redaction within 14 days, the decision will be posted on the
court’s website without any changes. Id.
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to 34 (2012)
(hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). Hereinafter, individual section references will be to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa of
the Act.

Case 1:22-vv-00323-UNJ Document 22 Filed 01/27/23 Page 2 of 2
In light of respondent’s position and the evidence of the record, I find that petitioner is
entitled to compensation. A separate damages order will be issued.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Thomas L. Gowen
Thomas L. Gowen
Special Master
2