In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 17-106V

Filed: October 27, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

MARCIA MILLER,

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); 

Damages Decision Based on Proffer; 

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; GuillainBarre Syndrome (GBS)

Randall G. Knutson, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner.

Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On January 23, 2017, 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 alleged that she developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)

resulting from the influenza vaccine she received on September 29, 2015. Petition at 1, 

¶¶ 4, 17-18. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of 

Special Masters.

On July 28, 2017, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report stating that he “does not 

contest entitlement in this matter.” Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. The same day, 

a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On 

October 27, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)

indicating petitioner should be awarded $160,000.00 for past and future pain and 

suffering and $500.00 for past unreimbursed medical expenses for a total award of 

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 

undersigned intends 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). 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 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

$160,500.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees 

with the proffered award. 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 $160,500.00 in the form of a check payable to 

petitioner, Marcia Miller. This total amount of damages represents $160,000.00 

for past and future pain and suffering and $500.00 for past unreimbursed medical 

expenses. 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 

************************************* 

MARCIA MILLER, *

* 

 Petitioner, * No. 17-106V 

 * CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER

v. * NORA BETH DORSEY

 * 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * 

HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

************************************* 

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Items of Compensation 

The Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 28, 2017. Based upon the evidence of 

record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded compensation as follows: 

$160,000.00, for past and future pain and suffering, and $500.00 for past unreimbursed medical 

expenses. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be 

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. 

II. Form of the Award 

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a 

lump sum payment of $160,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner 

agrees. 

 

1

 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move 

the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future 

medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2 

Respectfully submitted, 

CHAD A. READLER 

Acting 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/ DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY 

 DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY 

 Trial Attorney 

 Torts Branch, Civil Division 

 U.S. Department of Justice 

 P.O. Box 146 

 Benjamin Franklin Station 

 Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 

 Phone: (202) 616-4181 

Dated: October 27, 2017