In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-1039V

Filed: June 25, 2015

Unpublished

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

BARBARA VERDICK, *

*

Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;

* Influenza Vaccine or Flu Vaccine;

* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”);

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

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

*

Respondent. *

*

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

John Howie, Jr., Esq., Howie Law, P.C., Dallas, TX, for petitioner.

Alexis Babcock, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

On October 27, 2014, Barbara Verdick 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 she suffered Guillain-Barré

syndrome (GBS) resulting from the influenza vaccine she received on October 17, 

2011. Petition at 1, ¶ 19; Stipulation, filed June 25, 2015, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further 

alleges that she experienced the residual effects of GBS for more than six months and 

continues to suffer the effects of her injury. Petition, ¶¶ 17-18; Stipulation, ¶ 4. 

Respondent denies that the influenza vaccination caused petitioner’s GBS or any other 

injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend 

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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 (2006).
2

Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. Stipulation, ¶ 7. On 

June 25, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and 

describing the settlement terms. 

Respondent agrees to pay petitioner a lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a 

check payable to petitioner, Barbara Verdick. Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents 

compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 

Id. 

I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the 

amount and on the terms set forth therein. 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

s/Denise K. Vowell

Denise K. Vowell

Chief Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing 

the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
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