{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483-1","petitioner_identifier":"Abby Vaughn","is_minor":1,"age_at_vaccination":16.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2019-10-05","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":165736,"decision_date":"2024-03-29","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:39:48.392015+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Abby Vaughn, age 16, received an influenza vaccine on October 5, 2019. She alleged Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing Petitioner met the criteria for a Table injury. The case proceeded to damages. Petitioner sought $170,000 for past pain and suffering, citing hospitalization, rehabilitation, and residual effects. Respondent proposed $110,000, arguing her case was less severe than prior GBS claims. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $165,000 for past pain and suffering and $736.27 for a Medicaid lien, totaling $165,736.27. The Special Master noted Petitioner was diagnosed with AMSAN GBS, hospitalized in the PICU, received IVIG and Gabapentin, and underwent inpatient rehabilitation. Residual symptoms were mild and often attributed to unrelated conditions like meralgia paresthetica and obesity. The decision does not detail specific medical experts, the mechanism of injury, or the exact onset and duration of all symptoms, but notes Petitioner's symptoms were greatly improved by early to mid-2020, with some residual symptoms potentially linked to other conditions. Petitioner's counsel was Paul R. Brazil and respondent's counsel was Tyler King. The decision was issued on March 29, 2024.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2022-11-22","case_summary":"Abby Vaughn, a 16-year-old, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 29, 2022. She alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 5, 2019. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation, agreeing that Abby met the criteria for a Table injury. The case then proceeded to a damages determination. Abby sought $170,000 for past pain and suffering, citing her lengthy hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, and residual effects. The respondent proposed $110,000, arguing her case was less severe than some prior GBS claims. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the medical records and arguments. The public decision does not detail the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments beyond IVIG and Gabapentin, nor does it name petitioner's counsel or respondent's counsel in the damages decision, though their names appear in the entitlement ruling. The decision notes Abby was diagnosed with a less common GBS variation, acute motor and sensory neuropathy (AMSAN), and was hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit. She received inpatient rehabilitation, used a walker and cane, and experienced headaches and balance issues. The court noted that some later symptoms, such as intermittent thigh and fingertip numbness in March 2021, were attributed by her neurologist to meralgia paresthetica and obesity, rather than GBS. The Special Master found that while Abby's initial pain and suffering was significant due to unusual symptoms and diagnostic delays, her residual symptoms were mild and often attributable to unrelated conditions. Comparing her case to prior awards, the Special Master determined that $165,000 was a fair amount for past pain and suffering. The parties also agreed on $736.27 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. Therefore, Abby Vaughn was awarded a total lump sum of $165,736.27, consisting of $165,000 for pain and suffering and $736.27 for the Medicaid lien.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":1,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Abby Vaughn","petitioner_attorney_name":"Paul R. Brazil","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:04","attorney_canonical_keys":"|paul-brazil|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"VAUGHN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00483-0","title":"VAUGHN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/22/2022) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. 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