VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00649
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00649
Petitioner: Laura Wallace
Filed: 2022-06-14
Decided: 2024-06-13
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-02
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 109245

AI-assisted case summary:
Laura Wallace filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of her October 2, 2020 influenza vaccination. The respondent conceded that Ms. Wallace was entitled to compensation, as her GBS was a Table injury that occurred within the specified timeframe, and there was no more likely alternative diagnosis or apparent alternative cause. An entitlement ruling was issued on July 5, 2023, finding her eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on May 7, 2024, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation. The court awarded Ms. Wallace a total of $109,245.97, which included $97,500.00 for pain and suffering, $2,036.02 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $9,709.95 for past lost wages. This award was presented as a lump sum payment to Ms. Wallace, who is a competent adult.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00649-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-08-09
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/05/2023) regarding 21 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:22-vv-00649-UNJ Document 24 Filed 08/09/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-649V
LAURA WALLACE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 5, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Timothy James Lessman, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for Petitioner.
Andrew Henning, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 14, 2022, Laura Wallace 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of her October 9, 2020 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. Petitioner further
alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered the
residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior
award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at
¶¶ 4, 14, 18. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
1 Because this Ruling 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 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 (2018).

Case 1:22-vv-00649-UNJ Document 24 Filed 08/09/23 Page 2 of 2
On June 28, 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 indicates that it is his
position that petitioner suffered from GBS, and that she has satisfied the
criteria set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the
Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford her a
presumption of vaccine causation if the onset of GBS occurs between three
and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no more
likely alternative diagnosis and no apparent alternative cause.
Id. at 6-7 (citing 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15)).
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

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00649-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-06-13
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/14/2024) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:22-vv-00649-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/13/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-649V
LAURA WALLACE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 14, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Timothy James Lessman, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for Petitioner.
Bridget Corridon, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 14, 2022, Laura Wallace 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of her October 2, 2020 influenza (“flu”) vaccination Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 5, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for GBS. On May 7, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $109,245.97
(representing $97,500.00 in pain and suffering, $2,036.02 in past unreimbursable
expenses, and $9,709.95 in past lost wages). Proffer at 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 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-00649-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/13/24 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $109,245.97 (representing $97,500.00 in pain and suffering,
$2,036.02 in past unreimbursable expenses, and $9,709.95 in past 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-00649-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/13/24 Page 3 of 5
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
LAURA WALLACE, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-649V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
I. Procedural History
On June 14, 2022, Laura Wallace (“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-Barré Syndrome
(“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 2, 2020. See
Petition. On June 28, 2023, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that
petitioner suffered GBS as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table timeframe.
ECF No. 20. On July 5, 2023, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement,
finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation for a GBS Table injury. ECF No. 21.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:22-vv-00649-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/13/24 Page 4 of 5
II. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $97,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
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 $2,036.02. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
C. Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost wages related to
her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost
wages in the amount of $9,709.95. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
III. 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 following: A lump sum payment of $109,245.97 in the form
of a check payable to petitioner.2
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for
2

Case 1:22-vv-00649-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/13/24 Page 5 of 5
II. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Laura Wallace: $109,245.97
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
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ Bridget A. Corridon
BRIDGET A. CORRIDON
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) 305-4117
Email: bridget.corridon@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 7, 2024
future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
3