In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

Filed: September 30, 2020

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

ANTONIO KATZ, * No. 17-1621V

*

Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders

v. *

*

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award; Influenza (“Flu”)

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Vaccine; Chronic Inflammatory 

* Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”); 

* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)

Respondent. *

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

Phyllis Widman, Jacobs & Barbone, Atlantic City, NJ, for Petitioner.

Christine Becer, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION1

On October 27, 2017, Antonio Katz (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation 

pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 

(2012); Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on 

November 6, 2015, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) and chronic 

inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”). See Stip. at 1, ECF No. 50; Pet. at 1. 

Petitioner further alleged that he experienced the residual effects of his injuries for more than six 

months. Stip. at 1.

On September 16, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision 

should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Id. at 2. Respondent denies that the flu 

vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged GBS, CIDP, or any other injury. Id. Respondent further denies 

that Petitioner suffered a GBS Table injury. Id. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint 

stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the 

decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

1 This Decision shall be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 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 (2012)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to 

the Internet. As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request 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).

2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
2

The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

A lump sum of $293,402.26 which amount represents compensation for

first year life care expenses ($43,402.26) and combined lost earnings 

and pain and suffering ($250,000.00)[,] in the form of a check payable 

to [P]etitioner; and... [a]n amount sufficient to purchase the annuity 

contract described in paragraph 10 [of the stipulation], paid to the life 

insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased....This 

amount represents compensation for all damages that would be 

available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Id. at 2.

I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award 

should be made consistent with the stipulation.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of 

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

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Herbrina D. Sanders

Herbrina D. Sanders

Special Master

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice 

renouncing the right to seek review.