VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00760
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00760
Petitioner: Gordon Morris
Filed: 2023-05-24
Decided: 2025-05-12
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-10-04
Condition: Bell's palsy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 60000

AI-assisted case summary:
Gordon Morris filed a petition on May 24, 2023, alleging that he suffered Bell's palsy as a result of an influenza vaccination administered on October 4, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's Bell's palsy or any other injury, and denied that his condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. On May 12, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Gordon Morris was awarded a lump sum of $60,000.00 to compensate for all damages. This amount was to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The parties jointly filed notice renouncing the right to seek review, expediting the entry of judgment. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was represented by Alison Haskins of Siri & Glimstad, LLP, and Respondent was represented by Elizabeth Andary of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Gordon Morris alleged Bell's palsy following an influenza vaccination on October 4, 2017. Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to an award of $60,000.00 for all damages. The Special Master adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. The award was made on May 12, 2025, based on a stipulation filed May 12, 2025, with a petition filed May 24, 2023. Petitioner counsel was Alison Haskins, and Respondent counsel was Elizabeth Andary. Special Master was Nora B. Dorsey.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00760-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-06-06
Pages: 6
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/12/2025) regarding 46 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (mjf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00760-UNJ Document 50 Filed 06/06/25 Page 1 of 6
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: May 12, 2025
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GORDON MORRIS, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * No. 23-760V
*
v. * Special Master Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation; Influenza
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Bell’s Palsy.
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alison Haskins, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, Aventura, FL, for Petitioner.
Elizabeth Andary, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1
On May 24, 2023, Gordon Morris (“Petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine
Injury Program2 alleging that he suffered Bell’s palsy as a result of an influenza (“flu”)
vaccination administered on October 4, 2017. Petition at 1-6 (ECF No. 1).
On May 12, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation
to Petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 45). Respondent denies that the flu vaccine is the cause of
Petitioner’s alleged Bell’s palsy or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is required to post it 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, the undersigned agrees that the
identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from
public access.
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All citations in this Decision
to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:23-vv-00760-UNJ Document 50 Filed 06/06/25 Page 2 of 6
sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
attached hereto as Appendix A.3 The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it
as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
(1) A lump sum of $60,000.00 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 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora B. Dorsey
Nora B. Dorsey
Special Master
3 The electronic signature verification page of the executed stipulation was omitted from this
Decision.
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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