Court Opinion

ID: 4459306
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-11-26 21:02:12.538866+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:44.843287
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-1060V
                                    Filed: September 6, 2019
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    TERRA RHEA VARNER,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
                                                             Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                      (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
    AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                      Syndrome (GBS)

                       Respondent.

Andrew Gordon Melling, McNair Law Firm, PA, Columbia, SC, for petitioner.
Robert Paul Coleman, III, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On August 4, 2017, Terra Rhea Varner (“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”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-
Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
September 10, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed September 5, 2019, at ¶ 4.
Petitioner further alleges that her injury persisted for more than six months. Petition at
2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 4, 6. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table GBS
injury, and denies that petitioner suffered any injury as a result of the influenza vaccine
administered on or about September 10, 2016.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1
  The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims'
website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).
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).
       Nevertheless, on September 5, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court
in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $215,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
        Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
        damages that would be available under § 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
- - - - - - - - - - - -·------
                                               )
TERRA RHEA VARNER,                             )
                                               )
               Petitioner,                     )
                                               )     No. 17-1060V (ECF)
V.                                             )     Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                               )
SECRETARY OF HEAL TH                           )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                            )
                                               )
               Respondent.                     )
                             _____             )

                                            STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1. Terra Rhea Varner ("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 the 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 vaccine on or about September 10, 2016.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome C-'GBS"), as a result

of the administration of an influenza vaccine she received on or about September 10, 2016, and

experienced the residual effects of her 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 her condition.
        6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table GBS injury, and denies that

petitioner suffered any injury as a result of the influenza vaccine administered on or about

September 10, 2016.

        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 both a proper and timely election to

receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)( I), the Secretary of Health and

Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $215,000.00, 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)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to fu11her proceedings before

the Special Master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incmTed in proceeding upon this

petition.

        10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all

known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 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 amount awarded

pursuant to paragraph 9, 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 payment described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded

pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs,

executors, administrators, successors, and/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 United States

Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §

300aa-l 0 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 vaccine administered on or about September 10, 2016, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 4, 2017, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-1060V.

        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.

                                                  3
        15. If the Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms

of this Stipulation or if the United States 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.

        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 1or

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's alleged

OBS, any other injury, or her current disabilities.

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

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

                                      END OF STIPULATION

                                                   4
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

~y~
TRHEAVARNER

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                           AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                                      OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
                                                  ~~ €-Ylu\U.ll
,-t~ ~           J~~                                   N~~(l~~
ANDREW G. MELLING           (                    CATHARINE E. REEVES
Burr & Forman LLP                                Deputy Director
P.O. Box 11390                                   Torts Branch
Columbia, SC 29211                               Civil Division
(803) 799-9800                                   U.S. Department of Justice
                                                 P.O. Box 146
                                                 Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                 Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                        ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRET ARY OF HEALTH                      RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Vaccine
                                                 ~
                                                 ROBERT P. COLEMAN III
                                                 Trial Attorney
Injury Compensation (DVIC)                       Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau, U.S. Department       Civil Division
Of Health and Human Services                     U.S. Department of Justice
5600 Fishers Lane                                P.O. Box 146
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 11 C-26             Benjamin Franklin Station
Rockville, MD 20857                              Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                                 (202) 305-0274

Dated:   ~w5,Z.Oli

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