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In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

(Filed: September 12, 2016) 

No. 14-400V 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED 

JAMES ROWDEN, * 

 * Decision on Joint Stipulation;

 * Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular 

Petitioner, * Pertussis (“DTaP”) Vaccine;

 * Hepatitis A Vaccine; Hepatitis B

v. * Vaccine; Influenza (“Flu”) 

 * Vaccine; Menactra Vaccine;

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Viral Polio Inactivated Vaccine;

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barre Syndrome 

 * (“GBS”); Acute Inflammatory

 Respondent. * Demyelinating Polyneuropathy 

 * (“AIDP”)

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

William E. Cochran, Jr., Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, Memphis, TN, for petitioner. 

Linda Renzi, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Roth, Special Master: 

 On May 9, 2014, James Rowden (“Mr. Rowden,” or “petitioner”) filed a petition for 

compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that 

he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) and Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating 

Polyneuropathy (“AIDP”) as a result of receiving Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis 

(“DTaP”), Menactra, polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and influenza vaccinations on or about 

September 25, 2013. See Stipulation for Award (“Stipulation”), filed September 12, 2016, at ¶¶ 

1-4. Respondent denies that DTaP, Menactra, polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and influenza 

 

1

 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this 

decision 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), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other 

information, that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule 

requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the 

identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete 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).
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vaccinations caused petitioner to suffer from GBS, AIDP, or any other alleged injury. Stipulation 

at ¶ 6. 

Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On September 12, 2016, the 

parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. 

 

Respondent agrees to issue the following payment: 

(1) A lump sum of $1,887,733.63 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, 

James Rowden; and 

(2) An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in 

paragraph 10 of the stipulation. This amount represents compensation for all 

damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a). 

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

and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in 

accordance with this decision.3 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 

s/ Mindy Michaels Roth 

 Mindy Michaels Roth 

 Special Master 

 

 

3

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

right to seek review.