VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01282
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01282
Petitioner: Betty Mae Spencer
Filed: 2022-09-13
Decided: 2025-09-16
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2019-10-09
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 95000

AI-assisted case summary:
On September 13, 2022, Betty Mae Spencer filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 9, 2019, caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. After Ms. Spencer's death, Belinda Yanchik proceeded as the personal representative of her estate.

The Secretary denied that Ms. Spencer suffered a Table GBS injury, denied that the vaccine caused GBS or any other injury, and denied that the vaccination caused Ms. Spencer's death or any death-related sequelae. The public stipulation resolving the case does not state Ms. Spencer's exact age, the date of her death, the onset date for neurologic symptoms, or the clinical course of the alleged GBS.

On September 16, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation. Ms. Yanchik, as personal representative of the estate, was awarded $95,000.00 for all damages available under section 15(a), payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The estate was represented by Joseph Vuckovich.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, October 9, 2019, adult Betty Mae Spencer, exact age not stated, alleged Guillain-Barre syndrome. COMPENSATED by stipulation through Belinda Yanchik as personal representative of Ms. Spencer's estate. Respondent denied Table GBS, causation, and that any vaccine-related injury caused Ms. Spencer's death or death-related sequela; the public stipulation does not state a death date or clinical GBS chronology. Award: $95,000 lump sum by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 16, 2025. Attorney Joseph Vuckovich.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01282-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-17
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/16/2025) regarding 50 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-01282-UNJ Document 53 Filed 10/17/25 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-1282V
BELINDA YANCHIK, as personal Chief Special Master Corcoran
representative of ESTATE OF BETTY
MAE SPENCER,
Filed: September 16, 2025
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Ryan Pohlman Miller, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On September 13, 2022, Belinda Yanchik, as personal representative of the estate
of Betty Mae Spencer (“Ms. Spencer”), filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). On October 9, 2019, Ms. Spencer received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, a
vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
Petitioner alleges that Ms. Spencer suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as
defined in the Table; she further alleges that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Spencer’s alleged
injury, and that Ms. Spencer suffered the residual effects of her alleged injury for more
than six months.
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-01282-UNJ Document 53 Filed 10/17/25 Page 2 of 8
Respondent denies that Ms. Spencer sustained a GBS Table injury; denies that
the vaccine caused Ms. Spencer’s alleged injury, or any other injury; and denies that her
death was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
Nevertheless, on September 15, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set
forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $95,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner, as legal
representative of the Estate of Betty Mae Spencer. Stipulation ¶ 8. This amount
represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under
Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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

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