{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-1","petitioner_identifier":"Thomas Fiumara","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":56.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2020-11-04","condition_raw":"Guillain-Barré syndrome","condition_category":"GBS","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":210724,"decision_date":"2024-12-02","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:46:52.948190+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":12,"theory_of_causation":"Table","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2023-02-01","case_summary":"Thomas Fiumara, a 56-year-old adult, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on November 4, 2020. The respondent conceded that Mr. Fiumara was entitled to compensation, agreeing that his GBS was a Table injury with onset between three and forty-two days after the vaccination, and that there was no apparent alternative cause. The case proceeded to a decision awarding damages. Mr. Fiumara sought $250,000 for pain and suffering, detailing a severe onset of GBS including hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, and years of outpatient therapy, which resulted in persistent pain, fatigue, and balance limitations, preventing him from returning to his prior work in construction and carpentry. The respondent proposed $131,500, arguing the injury was moderately severe with treatment gaps and potential comorbidities. After reviewing the evidence, including medical records and affidavits, the court found that Mr. Fiumara's pain and suffering, both acutely and for at least three years after the vaccination, was severe. The court awarded a total of $197,500.00 for past pain and suffering, along with reimbursement for two Medicaid liens totaling $13,222.68, for a combined award of $210,724.00. The court noted that while the award was on the higher end for GBS cases, it was supported by strong evidence from treating physicians indicating that Mr. Fiumara's long-term pain was multifactorial but substantially explained by his GBS.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Thomas Fiumara","petitioner_attorney_name":"Leah VaSahnja Durant","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:43:47","attorney_canonical_keys":"|leah-durant|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-leah-v-durant","package_title":"FIUMARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-0","title":"FIUMARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/26/2023) regarding 21 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-10-27","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":237884,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-1","title":"FIUMARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/30/2024) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-12-02","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":319522,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00138-2","title":"FIUMARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/30/2025) regarding 47 DECISION of Special Master - Fees ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-08-29","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}