In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

Filed: August 21, 2019

* * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED

DONNA ANDERSON, *

* No. 14-879V

Petitioner, *

v. * Special Master Gowen

*

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Influenza (“Flu”); Acute Disseminated

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”); Auto-

* Immune Autonomic Ganglionopathy 

Respondent. * (“AAG”); Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cervical Spondylosis; Stipulation.

Lisa A. Roquemore, Law Office of Lisa A. Roquemore, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, for 

petitioner.

Adriana R. Teitel, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

DECISION ON STIPULATION1

On September 22, 2014, Donna Anderson (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation 

within the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petition (ECF No. 1). Petitioner 

received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 11, 2012. Stipulation filed August 21, 2019 

(ECF No. 132) (“Stipulation”) at ¶ 2. Petitioner alleged that as a result of that flu vaccination, 

she suffered from central and peripheral nervous system issues, including but not limited to acute 

disseminated encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”) and autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy

(“AAG”). Petitioner alleged that as a result of that flu vaccination, she also suffered a significant 

aggravation of her carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylosis. Petitioner further alleges 

that she experienced the residual effects of those injuries for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. 

 

1

Pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002, see 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012), because this opinion contains a

reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post it on the website of the United States Court of

Federal Claims. The Court’s website is at http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/aggregator/sources/7. Before the opinion 

is posted on the Court’s website, each party has 14 days to file a motion requesting redaction “of any information

furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or

confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly

unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). An objecting party must provide the Court with a proposed 

redacted version of the opinion. Id. If neither party files a motion for redaction within 14 days, the opinion will 

be posted on the Court’s website without any changes. Id.

2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine 

Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012) 

(Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 

300aa. 
2

On August 21, 2019, respondent filed a stipulation providing that a decision should be 

entered awarding compensation to petitioner. Stipulation. Respondent denies that the flu 

vaccination caused petitioner to suffer from ADEM or AAG, or suffer the significant aggravation 

of carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical spondylosis. Respondent further denies that the flu 

vaccination caused any other injury or her current condition. Id. at ¶ 6. Maintaining their 

respective positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be 

settled and that a decision should be entered awarding compensation according to the terms of 

the stipulation attached hereto as Appendix A. Id. at ¶ 7. 

The stipulation awards:

1) A lump sum of $140,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

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

stipulation at paragraph 10.

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available 

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 

I adopt the stipulation as the decision of the Court in awarding damages. I hereby award 

compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Accordingly, the Clerk of the 

Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

s/Thomas L. Gowen

 Thomas L. Gowen

Special Master

 

3 Entry of judgment is expedited by each party’s filing notice renouncing the right to seek review. Vaccine Rule 

11(a).