Idone v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0553V Filed: October 18, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ALEJANDRA IDONE, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Corcoran, Chief Special Master: On April 17, 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-Barré Syndrome (GBS) causally related to an adverse reaction to the influenza vaccination she received on October 19, 2016. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 16. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has brought a civil action or received compensation for her injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 17, 20-21. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 1 I intend to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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. Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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. On October 17, 2019, 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 and Proffer at 1. Specifically, respondent indicates that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (QAI), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation if onset of GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 3-4. Respondent further indicates “based on the current record, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. at 4. In view of respondent’s position and the evidence of record, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master