In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-98V

Filed: June 23, 2015

Not for Publication

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

MICHAEL GREENBERG, *

*

Petitioner, * 

 * Damages decision based on stipulation;

v. * influenza (flu) vaccine; Guillain-Barré 

* Syndrome (GBS)

SECRETARY OF HEALTH *

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

 *

 Respondent. *

*

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

F. John Caldwell, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.

Darryl R. Wishard, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On June 23, 2015, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle 

this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from 

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) that was caused by his receipt of influenza (“flu”) vaccine on 

November 3, 2012. He further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this injury for 

more than six months. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine either caused or significantly 

aggravated petitioner’s alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that petitioner’s current 

disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve 

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this 

case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal 

Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 

2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made 

available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is 

privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly 

unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and 

move to delete such information prior to the document’s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, 

agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall 

delete such material from public access.
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this matter informally.

The undersigned finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable. The court hereby 

adopts the parties’ said stipulation, attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and 

on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards a lump sum of

$350,000.00, representing compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a) (2006). The award shall be in the form of a check for $350,000.00 made payable to

petitioner.

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

court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 23, 2015 s/ Laura D. Millman

 Laura D. Millman

 Special Master

 

2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or 

jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
1

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

___________________________________

)

MICHAEL GREENBERG, )

)

 Petitioner, ) No. 14-98V ECF

) 

 v. ) Special Master Millman 

 )

SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

 Respondent. )

___________________________________ )

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Petitioner, Michael Greenberg, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the 

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. ' 300aa-10 to 34 (the AVaccine 

Program@). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner=s receipt

of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the ATable@), 42 

C.F.R. ' 100.3(a).

2. On November 3, 2012, petitioner received the flu vaccine.

3. The flu vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, he suffered from

Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”), and that he experienced symptoms of this injury for more 

than six months.

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

for damages as a result of his alleged injuries.
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6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated 

petitioner’s alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that petitioner’s current disabilities 

are the result of a vaccine-related injury.

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 $350,000.00, 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.
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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. 

' 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

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

for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, 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, 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 flu vaccine administered on November 3, 2012, as alleged by 

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 4, 2014, in the 

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 14-98.

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 
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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.

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 flu vaccine received by petitioner either caused or 

significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injuries 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