VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00645
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00645
Petitioner: Michele Holland
Filed: 2023-03-13
Decided: 2023-06-15
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-15
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 149639.07

AI-assisted case summary:
Michele Holland filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on September 15, 2020. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On March 10, 2023, the Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, as her condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 13, 2023, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 15, 2023, the Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $102,500.00 for past pain and suffering, and additional sums to satisfy Medicaid liens totaling $47,139.07. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding a total of $149,639.07, comprising $102,500.00 for past pain and suffering and $47,139.07 for the satisfaction of two Massachusetts Medicaid liens.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00645-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-04-13
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/13/2023) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00645-UNJ Document 29 Filed 04/13/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0645V
UNPUBLISHED
MICHELE HOLLAND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 13, 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.
Rhonda Lorenz-Pignato, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 13, 2022, Michele Holland 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 from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on September 15, 2020. Petition at
1. Petitioner further alleges that her “GBS has persisted for more than six months.”
Petition at ¶46. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On March 10, 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 states that “it is Respondent’s position that Petitoiner has
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-00645-UNJ Document 29 Filed 04/13/23 Page 2 of 2
satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications
and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).” Id. at 4.
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-00645-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-06-15
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/15/2023) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00645-UNJ Document 39 Filed 06/15/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0645V
UNPUBLISHED
MICHELE HOLLAND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 15, 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.
Rhonda Lorenz-Pignato, Shannon Law Group, PC, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 13, 2022, Michele Holland 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 from Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on September 15, 2020. Petition at
1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On March 13, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her GBS. On May 15, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $102,500.00 in past
pain and suffering and the sums of $422.46 and $46,716.61 to satisfy Medicaid liens.
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.
1 Because this unpublished Decision 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 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-00645-UNJ Document 39 Filed 06/15/23 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award the following:
1. A lump sum payment of $102,500.00 for past pain and suffering in the form
of a check payable to Petitioner.
2. A lump sum payment of $422.46, for satisfaction of a State of Massachusetts
Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and
Commonwealth of MA-CRU, Casualty Recovery, P.O. Box 417811, Boston,
MA 02241-7811.
3. A lump sum payment of $46,716.61, for satisfaction of a State of
Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form a check payable jointly to
Petitioner and The Rawlings Company, ATTN: Hamza Tariq, Reference No.:
134665513, P.O. Box 2000, La Grange, KY 40031-2000.
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-00645-UNJ Document 39 Filed 06/15/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
MICHELE HOLLAND, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-645V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 13, 2022, Michele Holland (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under
the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the
Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barre syndrome
(“GBS”), a Table injury, as a result of an influenza vaccine administered to her on September 15,
2020. Petition at 1. On March 10, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that compensation be awarded. ECF No.
21. On March 13, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 22.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $102,500.00 in actual pain and
suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4).
Petitioner agrees to accept this amount.

Case 1:22-vv-00645-UNJ Document 39 Filed 06/15/23 Page 4 of 5
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy the State of
Massachusetts Medicaid Liens in the amounts of $422.46 and $46,716.61, which represent full
satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of
Massachusetts may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of
Massachusetts 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 15, 2020, 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
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
three lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1:
A. A lump sum payment of $102,500.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner;
B. A lump sum payment of $422.46, representing compensation for satisfaction of
the State of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner and:
COMMONWEALTH OF MA-CRU
Casualty Recovery
P.O. Box 417811
Boston, MA 02241-7811
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-00645-UNJ Document 39 Filed 06/15/23 Page 5 of 5
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Commonwealth of Massachusetts- CRU
for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien; and
C. A lump sum payment of $46,716.61, representing compensation for satisfaction
of the State of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly
to petitioner and:
The Rawlings Company
ATTN: Hamza Tariq
Reference No.: 134665513
P.O. Box 2000
La Grange, KY 40031-2000
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to The Rawlings Company for satisfaction
of the Medicaid lien.
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
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Kimberly S. Davey
KIMBERLY S. DAVEY
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) 307-1815
Kimberly.Davey@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 15, 2023
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