In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-654V

Filed: June 16, 2015

Unpublished

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

KAREN WOOLLEY, *

*

Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;

* Influenza Vaccine or Flu Vaccine;

* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”);

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Miller Fisher Syndrome; A Variant of

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * GBS; Special Processing Unit (“SPU”);

*

Respondent. *

*

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

Amber Wilson, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, (DC) Washington, DC, for 

petitioner.

Justine Walters, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

On July 25, 2014, Karen Woolley filed a petition for compensation under the 

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,

2

[the 

“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered the Miller Fisher 

variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) causally related to an adverse reaction to the

influenza vaccine she received on September 9, 2013. Petition, ¶¶ 2, 5-7; Stipulation, 

filed June 15, 2015, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual 

effects of GBS for more than six months. Petition, ¶ 8. Respondent denies that the 

influenza vaccination caused petitioner’s GBS or any other injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend 

to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government 

Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 

note (2006)). 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 

300aa (2006).
2

Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. Stipulation, ¶ 7. On 

June 15, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and 

describing the settlement terms. 

Respondent agrees to pay petitioner a lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a 

check payable to petitioner, Karen Woolley. Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents 

compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 

Id. 

I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the 

amount and on the terms set forth therein. In the absence of a motion for review filed 

pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in 

accordance with this decision.3

s/Denise K. Vowell

Denise K. Vowell

Chief Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing 

the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
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