In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 18-947V

Filed: September 6, 2019

UNPUBLISHED

SANDRA WILLIAMS,

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); 

Damages Decision Based on Proffer; 

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; GuillainBarre Syndrome (GBS)

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On June 29, 2018, petitioner 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result

of the adverse effects of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 16,

2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office 

of Special Masters.

On June 19, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled 

to compensation for her GBS injury. On September 6, 2019, respondent filed a proffer 

on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded 

 

1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 

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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the 

action in this case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' 

website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal 

Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).

2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for 

ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 

300aa (2012).
2

$196,801.50. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees 

with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds 

that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards

petitioner a lump sum payment of $196,801.50 (representing compensation in the 

amount of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past 

unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra 

Williams. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be 

available under § 15(a). 

The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this 

decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey

Nora Beth Dorsey

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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

__________________________________________

)

SANDRA WILLIAMS, )

)

Petitioner, )

) No. 18-947V (ECF)

v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey 

)

SECRETARY OF HEALTH )

AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

__________________________________________)

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES

On June 19, 2019, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his 

Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation. The same day, the Court entered its 

Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Sandra Williams entitled to Vaccine Act compensation

for the Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine. 

Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum 

of $196,801.50 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra Williams.

1

 This amount

consists of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past unreimbursed expenses, 

and represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to 

which petitioner is entitled.2

Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $196,801.50.

3

 

1

 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required.

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.

3

 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). 
2

Respectfully submitted,

JOSEPH H. HUNT

Assistant Attorney General

C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO

Acting Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division

CATHARINE E. REEVES

Deputy Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division

ALEXIS B. BABCOCK

Assistant Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr. 

VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.

Senior Trial Attorney

Torts Branch, Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O. Box 146

Ben Franklin Station

Washington, D.C. 20044-0146

Direct dial: (202) 616-4136

Dated: September 6, 2019