In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 15-0300V 

Filed: December 2, 2015

Unpublished

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

JOSEPH SULLIVAN, * 

 * 

 Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages; 

 * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; 

 * Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”); 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * 

 * 

 Respondent. * 

 * 

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

Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.

Christine M. Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On March 24, 2015, Joseph Sullivan (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that he

suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he 

received on October 2, 2013. Petition at 1-5; Stipulation, filed Dec. 2, 2015, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. 

Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of GBS for more than 

six months. Petition at 4. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s 

GBS or any other injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6.

Nevertheless, on December 2, 2015, the parties filed the attached joint 

stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The 

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 

undersigned intends to post it 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), 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits 

within this definition, the undersigned will redact 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).
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court 

in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

The parties stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

A lump sum of $315,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 

Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages 

that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. 

The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation. 

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.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 s/Nora Beth Dorsey

Nora Beth Dorsey

 Chief Special Master

 

3 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

____________________________________ 

 ) 

JOSEPH SULLIVAN, ) 

 ) 

 Petitioner, ) 

 ) No. 15-300V 

 v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey

 ) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) 

HUMAN SERVICES, ) 

 ) 

 Respondent. ) 

____________________________________) 

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

 1. Joseph Sullivan, petitioner, 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 injuries allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt 

of an influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 

42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 

2. Petitioner received the influenza immunization on October 2, 2013. 

 3. The vaccination was administered within the United States. 

4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result 

of receiving the influenza vaccine. 

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

for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. 

 6. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or 

any other injury. 
2 

 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the 

issues between them shall be settled and that 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 payment: 

A lump sum of $315,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This 

amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 

 9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after 

petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings 

before the special master to award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in proceeding 

upon this petition. 

 10. Petitioner and his 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 

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.

 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded 

pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 
3 

 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award 

for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided 

pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a 

strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. 

§ 300aa-15(g) and (h). 

 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his

individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, 

does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and 

the Secretary of Health and Human Services 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. § 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 petitioner resulting 

from, or alleged to have resulted from, the influenza vaccination administered on October 2, 

2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 24, 

2015, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 15-300V.

 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable 

upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 

15. 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.
4 

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

damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except 

as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. 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, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the 

items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 

 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the 

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to have 

GBS or any other injury. 

 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s 

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. 

END OF STIPULATION

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/