In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 18-1359V

Filed: October 22, 2019

UNPUBLISHED

STEFANIE BENNETT, on behalf of the 

ESTATE OF SHAWN GESSNER,,

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint 

Stipulation on Damages and 

Attorney’s Fees; Influenza (Flu) 

Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome 

(GBS)

Daniel A Singer, Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd., Kansas City, MO, for petitioner.

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

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Corcoran, Chief Special Master:

On September 5, 2018, petitioner filed a petition on behalf of decedent, Shawn 

Gessner, for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 

42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,

2

(the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that Mr. Gessner

suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) and died following his receipt of an influenza 

(“flu”) vaccination on September 26, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed October 17, 

2019, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Respondent states that “petitioner is entitled to compensation under 

the terms of the Vaccine Program for Mr. Gessner’s GBS and subsequent death.”

Stipulation at ¶ 7. 

 

1

I intend 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, I agree that the identified 

material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished 

decision 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. 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

On October 17, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a 

decision should be entered awarding compensation and attorneys’ fees.

3

 I find the 

stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages

and attorney’s fees, on the terms set forth therein.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the I award the following 

compensation:

• A lump sum of $451,765.36, consisting of $195,000.00 for pain and 

suffering, $6,765.36 in past unreimbursed expenses, and the 

$250,000.00 statutory death benefit, in the form of a check payable to 

petitioner, Stefanie Bennett, as Special Administrator of the estate of 

Shawn Gessner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation 

for all items of damages that would be available under § 15(a). Id.; and

• $20,000.00 for petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs, in the form of a 

check made payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Daniel A. 

Singer.

I approve the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation and attorneys’

fees. 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.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran

Brian H. Corcoran

Chief Special Master

 

3 The attached stipulation was filed prior to petitioner’s unopposed motion to correct the captioned 

spelling of her first name. Respondent filed a status report on October 17, 2019, confirming that the 

corrected spelling of petitioner’s name should be adopted for purposes of entering judgment. 

Accordingly, this decision is issued adopting the amendment. 

4 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.
1

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

__________________________________________

)

STEPHANIE BENNETT on behalf of )

the estate of SHAWN GESSNER, )

)

Petitioner, )

) No. 18-1359V (ECF)

v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey 

)

SECRETARY OF HEALTH )

AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

__________________________________________)

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Stephanie Bennett (“petitioner”), on behalf of the estate of Shawn Gessner (“Mr. 

Gessner”), filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury 

Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (the “Vaccine Program”). The petition 

seeks compensation for Mr. Gessner’s injuries and death following his receipt of an influenza 

(“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. 

§100.3(a). 

2. Mr. Gessner received a flu vaccine on September 26, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Mr. Gessner subsequently sustained the first symptom or manifestation of onset of

Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) within the time period set forth in the Table, and later died as 

a result of his GBS.

5. There is not a preponderance of the evidence demonstrating that Mr. Gessner’s 
2

GBS and subsequent death were due to a factor unrelated to his September 26, 2017 flu vaccine. 

6. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil 

action for damages on behalf of Mr. Gessner as a result of his GBS or death.

7. Accordingly, petitioner is entitled to compensation under the terms of the Vaccine 

Program for Mr. Gessner’s GBS and subsequent death. Therefore, a decision should be entered 

awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.

8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent 

with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive 

compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human 

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

a. A lump sum of $451,765.36, consisting of $195,000.00 for 

pain and suffering, $6,765.36 in past unreimbursed 

expenses, and the $250,000.00 statutory death benefit, in 

the form of a check payable to petitioner, Stephanie 

Bennett, as Special Administrator of the estate of Shawn 

Gessner. This amount represents compensation for all 

damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa15(a); and,

b. $20,000.00 for petitioner’s attorneys’ fees and costs, in the 

form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and her 

counsel, Daniel A. Singer of Shamberg, Johnson, & 

Bergman, Chtd., which amount is not an unreasonable 

amount to have been incurred for proceedings in this case 

to date. Respondent’s lack of objection to the amount 

sought in this case should not be construed as an admission, 

concession, or waiver as to the hourly rates requested, the 

number of hours billed, or the other litigation-related costs.

9. Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to 

this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable 

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be 
3

expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or 

State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 

et seq.), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

10. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation will be made in 

accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 

11. Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of 

judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as Special Administrator of Mr. Gessner’s estate 

under the laws of the State of Kansas. No payment pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made 

until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her appointment as 

Special Administrator of Mr. Gessner’s estate. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of 

competent jurisdiction to serve as Special Administrator of the estate of Shawn Gessner at the 

time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to the 

party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as Special Administrator

of the estate of Shawn Gessner upon submission of written documentation of such appointment 

to the Secretary.

12. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, petitioner, in her individual 

capacity and as Special Administrator of the estate of Mr. Gessner, and on behalf of the estate’s

heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and 

unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the Secretary of Health and Human Services and 

the United States of America from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, 

judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or 

nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court 

of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 
4

300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, 

suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to, or death of, Mr. Gessner resulting from, or alleged 

to have resulted from, the influenza vaccine administered on September 26, 2017, as alleged by 

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 5, 2018, in the 

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1359V.

13. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the 

terms of this Stipulation, or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity 

with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties’ 

settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.

14. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability 

and damages claimed under the National Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended. There is 

absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or 

thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and 

understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties’ 

respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages.

15. All rights and obligations of petitioner, in her individual capacity as the Special 

Administrator of the estate of Shawn Gessner, hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s heirs,

executors, administrators, successors and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION

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Respectfully submitted, 

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR 

PETITIONER: 

~/-

DANIEL A. SINGER 

Shamberg, Johnson, & Bergman, Chtd. 

2600 Grand Boulevard, Suite 550 

Kansas City, MO 64108 

(816) 474-0004 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE 

OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES: 

tuaA.d s~~ ~-1-

TAMARA OVERBY 

Acting Director, Division of Injury 

Compensation Programs (DICP) 

Healthcare Systems Bureau 

U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services 

5600 Fishers Lane 

Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N 146B 

Rockville, MD 20857 

Dated: I D / r1 / f °l 

5 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE 

OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: 

RINE E. REEVES 

Civil Division 

U.S. Department of Justice 

P.O. Box 146 

Benjamin Franklin Station 

Washington, DC 20044-0146 

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR 

RESPONDENT: 

Torts Branch 

Civil Division 

U.S. Department of Justice 

P.O. Box 146 

Benjamin Franklin Station 

Washington, DC 20044-0146 

(202) 616-4136