VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00697
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00697
Petitioner: Eunice Buffkin
Filed: 2022-06-21
Decided: 2025-05-30
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-18
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 172000

AI-assisted case summary:
Eunice Buffkin filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 18, 2020. The case was filed on June 21, 2022. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Buffkin is entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that her condition, GBS, is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table for the flu vaccine and that she met all legal prerequisites for compensation. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on December 6, 2024, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 30, 2025, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation, representing Ms. Buffkin's agreement to the proffered amount. The court awarded Ms. Buffkin a lump sum payment of $172,000.00 for pain and suffering, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. The decision was finalized on May 30, 2025.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00697-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-01-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/06/2024) regarding 47 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00697-UNJ Document 49 Filed 01/07/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0697V
EUNICE BUFFKIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: December 6, 2024
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 21, 2022, Eunice Buffkin 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 18, 2020. Petition
at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On December 5, 2024, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Amended Rule 4(c)
Report (ECF No. 46) at 1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner has satisfied
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-00697-UNJ Document 49 Filed 01/07/25 Page 2 of 2
the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids
to Interpretation (“QAI”) for GBS following receipt of a seasonal flu vaccine. Id. at 8 (citing
42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15). Respondent also agrees that Petitioner has
satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id. (internal citations
omitted).
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-00697-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-06-30
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/30/2025) regarding 54 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00697-UNJ Document 58 Filed 06/30/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0697V
EUNICE BUFFKIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: May 30, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On June 21, 2022, Eunice Buffkin 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 18, 2020. Petition
at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On December 6, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for GBS corresponding to a listing on the Vaccine Injury Table,
42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15)). On May 30, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on
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-00697-UNJ Document 58 Filed 06/30/25 Page 2 of 5
award of compensation (“Proffer”), and representing Petitioner’s agreement to the
proffered award. Proffer at 1. 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 $172,000.00 (for pain and suffering) to be paid through an ACH
deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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-00697-UNJ Document 58 Filed 06/30/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
EUNICE BUFFKIN,
Petitioner,
No. 22-697V
v. Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 21, 2022, Eunice Buffkin (“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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the
Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination
received on September 18, 2020. Petition at 1. On December 5, 2024, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services (“respondent”) filed an amended Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case
is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a Table injury, and on December
6, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. ECF Nos. 46, 47.
I. Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $172,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). This amount represents all elements of compensation to which
petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:22-vv-00697-UNJ Document 58 Filed 06/30/25 Page 4 of 5
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 $172,000.00 to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Eunice Buffkin: $172,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant 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-00697-UNJ Document 58 Filed 06/30/25 Page 5 of 5
/s/ J. Travis Williamson
J. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON
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) 598-1099
Jay.T.Williamson@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 30, 2025
3