VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00949
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00949
Petitioner: Sharon Kawashiri
Filed: 2023-06-23
Decided: 2025-09-11
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-11-12
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 144916

AI-assisted case summary:
Sharon Kawashiri filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 23, 2023. She alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on November 12, 2021. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on July 1, 2024, conceding that Ms. Kawashiri was entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that her condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a presumptive GBS Table injury. On July 2, 2024, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding Ms. Kawashiri eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on August 5, 2025, the parties submitted a Proffer on Award of Compensation. The respondent recommended, and Ms. Kawashiri agreed, that she should be awarded $140,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,916.06 for past unreimbursable expenses. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Decision Awarding Damages on September 11, 2025, awarding a total lump sum of $144,916.06 to Ms. Kawashiri. This amount was to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and the respondent was represented by Mark Kim Hellie of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Sharon Kawashiri alleged Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccine administered on November 12, 2021. The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that Petitioner satisfied the criteria for a presumptive GBS Table injury. The public decision does not describe the specific onset, symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The theory of causation is based on the Vaccine Injury Table. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 2, 2024, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On August 5, 2025, the parties submitted a Proffer on Award of Compensation, agreeing to an award of $140,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,916.06 for past unreimbursable expenses. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Decision Awarding Damages on September 11, 2025, awarding a total lump sum of $144,916.06. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant and respondent by Mark Kim Hellie.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00949-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-08-02
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/02/2024) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 22 Filed 08/02/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-949V
SHARON KAWASHIRI, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 2, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 23, 2023, Sharon Kawashiri 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 Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that was administered to her on November 12, 2021.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 1, 2024, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1,
ECF No. 17. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set
forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Id. at 5.
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 (2012).

Case 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 22 Filed 08/02/24 Page 2 of 2
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_23-vv-00949-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-09-11
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/05/2025) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/11/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-949V
SHARON KAWASHIRI, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: August 5, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 23, 2023, Sharon Kawashiri 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”) vaccination administered to her on November 12, 2021.
Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was received in the United
States, she suffered sequela of her injury for more than six months, and neither Petitioner
nor any other party has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement
for her vaccine-related injury. Id. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 2, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her GBS. ECF No. 19. On August 5, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded
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 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/11/25 Page 2 of 5
$140,000.00 in pain and suffering and $4,916.06 in past unreimbursable expenses.
Proffer at 2, ECF No. 32. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
with the proffered award. See id. 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 $144,916.06 for pain and suffering and past unreimbursable
expenses 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 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/11/25 Page 3 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
SHARON KAWASHIRI,
Petitioner,
Case No. 23-949V (ECF)
v. CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
CORCORAN
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1
I. Procedural History
On June 23, 2023, Sharon Kawashiri (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.
§§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she sustained
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) following receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
administered on November 12, 2021. Pet. at 1.
On July 1, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed
his Rule 4(c) Report, concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the
terms of the Act for a presumptive GBS Table injury. ECF Doc. No. 17 at 1, 5.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to
address after the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/11/25 Page 4 of 5
On July 2, 2024, the Court issued its Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner
is entitled to compensation. ECF Doc. No. 19.
II. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded the following:
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain and
suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should
be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $4,916.06. See 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
III. Form of the Award/Recommended Payment
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special
Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:2
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award
for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the
parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
2

Case 1:23-vv-00949-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/11/25 Page 5 of 5
A lump sum payment of $144,916.06, to be paid through an ACH deposit to
petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner,
Sharon Kawashiri.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ Mark K. Hellie
MARK K. HELLIE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
T: (202) 616-4208
E: mark.hellie@usdoj.gov
DATED: August 5, 2025
3