VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00694 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00694 Petitioner: Dennis Crout Filed: 2022-06-21 Decided: 2025-08-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-09-21 Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 475000 AI-assisted case summary: On June 21, 2022, Dennis Crout filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on September 21, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Respondent denied that Mr. Crout sustained a GBS Table injury, denied vaccine causation or significant aggravation, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. The public decision is a stipulation decision and does not describe Mr. Crout's first neurologic symptoms, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, expert evidence, or recovery. It records only the allegations, respondent's denials, and the negotiated resolution. On August 29, 2025, Special Master Jennifer A. Shah adopted the parties' joint stipulation. Mr. Crout was awarded $475,000.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account, representing all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine, September 21, 2020, alleged GBS. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table GBS, causation-in-fact/significant aggravation, and sequelae, but the parties settled. Public decision does not describe onset, hospitalization, testing, treatment, experts, or mechanism. Award: $475,000 lump sum for all Section 15(a) damages, ACH to counsel IOLTA. Special Master Jennifer A. Shah August 29, 2025. Attorney Maximillian Muller; respondent Catherine Stolar. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00694-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-11-03 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/29/2025) regarding 55 DECISION of Special Master - Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Jennifer A. Shah. (sl) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-694V * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DENNIS CROUT, * * UNPUBLISHED Petitioner, * * * v. * * Filed: August 29, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * HUMAN SERVICES, * * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Catherine Stolar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On June 21, 2022, Dennis Crout (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).2 Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges he developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on September 21, 2020. See Stipulation ¶ 2, 4, dated August 29, 2025 (ECF No. 54); see also Pet. Respondent denies “that [P]etitioner sustained a GBS Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused in fact or significantly aggravated [P]etitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and 1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request 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). Otherwise, the Decision in its present form will be available. Id. 2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012)) (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa. Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 2 of 7 denies that his current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” See Stipulation ¶ 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed August 29, 2025, that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation. I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth therein.3 The stipulation awards: a lump sum of $475,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation ¶ 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment herewith.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Jennifer A. Shah Jennifer A. Shah Special Master 3 Petitioner electronically signed the stipulation using VineSign. Pursuant to OSM policy as of December 6, 2023, the last page of the stipulation containing Petitioner’s email address, phone number, and IP address has been removed prior to filing to avoid unnecessary disclosure of Petitioner’s personal information. 4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice renouncing their right to seek review. Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:22-vv-00694-UNJ Document 60 Filed 11/03/25 Page 7 of 7