VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057 Petitioner: Joanne Teixeira Filed: 2023-12-01 Decided: 2025-10-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-11-13 Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 145236.8 AI-assisted case summary: On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 13, 2022 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Respondent conceded entitlement, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Ms. Teixeira had established a Table GBS injury on March 7, 2025. The public entitlement and damages documents do not describe the first neurologic symptoms, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, IVIG or plasma exchange, rehabilitation, or residual deficits. On October 9, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted respondent's damages proffer and awarded $140,000.00 for pain and suffering, $1,137.97 in unreimbursed expenses, and $4,098.83 in lost wages, for a total lump sum of $145,236.80. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine November 13, 2022 causing Table GBS; competent adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Public documents lack detailed neurologic chronology. Award $140,000 pain/suffering + $1,137.97 expenses + $4,098.83 lost wages = $145,236.80. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition December 1, 2023; entitlement March 7, 2025; damages October 9, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-09 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/07/2025) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-02057-UNJ Document 21 Filed 04/09/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-2057V JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 7, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ryan C. Johnsen, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner. Tyler King, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira 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 her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 13, 2022, caused her to suffer a Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) Table injury. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she received her vaccination in the United States, suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 2, 15-16. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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 1:23-vv-02057-UNJ Document 21 Filed 04/09/25 Page 2 of 2 On February 20, 2025, 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. Specifically, Respondent states that he recommends that petitioner be found entitled to compensation. Petitioner satisfies the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a Table injury that the flu vaccination caused her GBS. See 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), 100.3(c)(15). Petitioner also satisfies the Vaccine Act, including that no alternative cause more likely explains her condition and that her condition has persisted for more than six months. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 13(a)(1)(B); Id. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Id. at 6. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057-cl-extra-10842020 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-09 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10375432 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-2057V JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 7, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ryan C. Johnsen, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner. Tyler King, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira 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 her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 13, 2022, caused her to suffer a Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) Table injury. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she received her vaccination in the United States, suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 2, 15-16. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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). On February 20, 2025, 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. Specifically, Respondent states that he recommends that petitioner be found entitled to compensation. Petitioner satisfies the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a Table injury that the flu vaccination caused her GBS. See 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), 100.3(c)(15). Petitioner also satisfies the Vaccine Act, including that no alternative cause more likely explains her condition and that her condition has persisted for more than six months. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 13(a)(1)(B); Id. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Id. at 6. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-11-12 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/09/2025) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-02057-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/12/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-2057V JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 9, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ryan C. Johnson, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner. Tyler King, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira 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 received on November 13, 2022. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 7. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 7, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On October 8, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $145,236.80 ($140,000.00 for pain and suffering, $1,137.97 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $4,098.83 for past lost wages). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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-02057-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/12/25 Page 2 of 5 Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. 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 $145,236.80, 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-02057-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/12/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Petitioner, v. No. 23-2057V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended (“Act”). She alleges that she sustained Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following receipt of an influenza vaccine administered on November 13, 2022. See Petition. On February 20, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury. See ECF No. 17. On March 7, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a GBS Table injury. See ECF No. 18. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following: 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-02057-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/12/25 Page 4 of 5 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 $1,137.97. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. C. Lost Earnings Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred lost earnings related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost wages in the amount of $4,098.83. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award 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 A lump sum payment of $145,236.80 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Joanne Teixeria. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case. 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-02057-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/12/25 Page 5 of 5 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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Tyler C. King TYLER C. KING 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) 305-0730 Tyler.king@usdoj.gov Dated: October 8, 2025 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-02057-cl-extra-11201790 Date issued/filed: 2025-11-12 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10735205 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-2057V JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 9, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ryan C. Johnson, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner. Tyler King, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira 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 received on November 13, 2022. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 7. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 7, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On October 8, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $145,236.80 ($140,000.00 for pain and suffering, $1,137.97 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $4,098.83 for past lost wages). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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). Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. 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 $145,236.80, 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JOANNE TEIXEIRA, Petitioner, v. No. 23-2057V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On December 1, 2023, Joanne Teixeira (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended (“Act”). She alleges that she sustained Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following receipt of an influenza vaccine administered on November 13, 2022. See Petition. On February 20, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury. See ECF No. 17. On March 7, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a GBS Table injury. See ECF No. 18. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following: 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. 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 $1,137.97. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. C. Lost Earnings Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred lost earnings related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost wages in the amount of $4,098.83. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award 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 A lump sum payment of $145,236.80 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Joanne Teixeria. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Tyler C. King TYLER C. KING 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) 305-0730 Tyler.king@usdoj.gov Dated: October 8, 2025 3