VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00394
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00394
Petitioner: Maria Schory
Filed: 2023-01-10
Decided: 2023-10-26
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-08
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 140632

AI-assisted case summary:
Maria Schory filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 8, 2020. The petition stated that her GBS met the Table definition and that she suffered residual effects for more than six months. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, believing she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on January 10, 2023, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on September 25, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that Petitioner should be awarded $140,632.82, representing $140,000.00 for pain and suffering and $632.82 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a Decision Awarding Damages on October 26, 2023, awarding Petitioner the lump sum of $140,632.82.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00394-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-02-13
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/10/2023) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00394-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/13/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0394V
UNPUBLISHED
MARIA SCHORY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 10, 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.
Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On April 6, 2022, Maria Schory 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”) which meets
the Table definition for GBS, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 8,
2020. Petition at 1 ¶ 1. Petitioner also alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her
GBS for more than six months and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil
action or received compensation for her GBS. Id. at ¶¶ 8-10. 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-00394-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/13/23 Page 2 of 2
On January 6, 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. Specifically, Respondent believes “that [P]etitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in
the Vaccine Injury Table . . . and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation.” 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-00394-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-10-26
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/26/2023) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00394-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/26/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0394V
MARIA SCHORY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 26, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On April 6, 2022, Maria Schory 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 alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) which meets
the Table definition for GBS, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 8,
2020. Petition at 1 ¶ 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On January 10, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her GBS. On September 25, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $140,632.82,
representing $140,000.00 for pain and suffering and $632.82 for past unreimburseable
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-00394-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/26/23 Page 2 of 5
expenses. 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 a lump
sum payment of $140,632.82, representing $140,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$632.82 for actual unreimburseable expenses 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-00394-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/26/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
)
MARIA SCHORY, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-394V
v. ) Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On April 6, 2022, Maria Schory (“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 from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the
Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on
October 8, 2020. On January 6, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation
under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury, and on January 10, 2023, the Chief Special
Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 21,
22.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:22-vv-00394-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/26/23 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $632.82. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
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 $140,632.82, in the form of
a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Maria Schory: $140,632.82
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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00394-UNJ Document 39 Filed 10/26/23 Page 5 of 5
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s James V. Lopez
James V. Lopez
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3655
Fax: (202) 616-4310
Email: james.lopez@usdoj.gov
Date: September 25, 2023
3