Court Opinion

ID: 4709484
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-08-05 20:04:00.732065+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:56.712999
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1012V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    KATHLEEN BUDDE,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: July 6, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
                                                                Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Stefan Bjorn Feidler, Anastopoulo Law Firm, Charleston, SC, for Petitioner.

Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On July 15, 2019, Kathleen Budde 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”)
which meets the definition for Table GBS and was caused-in-fact by the influenza (“flu”)
vaccine she received on October 10, 2018. Petition at 1 ¶¶ 2, 10, 12; Stipulation, filed at
July 6, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges she received the vaccine in the United
States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and
that neither she nor any other person has filed a civil action or received compensation for
her injury. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 11, 13; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that
[P]etitioner suffered a Table injury for GBS, denies that the vaccines either caused or
significantly aggravated [P]etitioner’s alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that
[P]etitioner’s current disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶
6.

1
   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
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). 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, 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
(2012).
      Nevertheless, on July 6, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating
that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:

        A lump sum of $90,000.00 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 Section 15(a). Id.

       I approve 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/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         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.

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                 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                )
KATHLEEN BUDDE,                                 )
                                                )
                     Petitioner,                )       No. 19-1012V         ECF
                                                )
                V.                              )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                             )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                             )
                                                )
                 Respondent.                    )
---------------                                 )

                                           STIPULATION
       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1.   Petitioner, Kathleen Budde, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

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

Program"). She later filed an amended petition.         The petition and amended petition seek

compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine,

which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

       2.    On February 5, 2018, petitioner received the flu vaccine, and on October 10, 2018,

petitioner again received the flu vaccine.

       3.    The flu vaccines received by petitioner were administered within the United States.

       4.    Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving each of the flu vaccines as stated

above, she sustained the onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS") within the time period set

forth in the Table, and that she experienced residual effects of the alleged injury for more than

six months following each vaccine administration.

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

for damages as a result of her alleged injuries.

        6.    Respondent denies that petitioner suffered a Table injury for OBS, denies that the

vaccines 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

                 A lump sum of $90,000.00, 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. Section 300aa-2l(a)(l), and an application, the parties ,~,m submit to further

proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in

proceeding upon this petition.

        10.    Petitioner and her 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

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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.

§ 300aa-l 5(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, 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-l 5(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 her

individual capacity and on behalf of her 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 vaccines administered on February 5, 2018, and on October

I 0, 2018, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July

                                                   3
15, 2019, and the amended petition filed on or about December 30, 2019, in the United States

Court of Federal Claims at Docket No. 19-1012V.

        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.

        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 petitioner sustained a Table injury for GBS, or that

a vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injury 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

                                                  4
    Respectfully submitted,

    PETITIONER:

    ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                   AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
    PETITIONER:                              OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                             ~~\L 9 e ~
                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
    Anas opoulo aw Firm, LLC                 Acting Deputy Director
    32 Ann Street                            Torts Branch
    Charleston, SC 29403                     Civil Division
    Tel: 843-614-8888                        U.S. Department of Justice
                                             P.O. Box 146
                                             Benjamin Franklin Station
                                             Washington, DC 20044-0146

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

                                             1 ) a ~ \(_ ~a.Act
                                                   ~~      -~L?ecJA---
&/Jrz;,~~RB~c,I A/JM,rr                      DARRYLR. WISHARD
    Acting Director, Division oflnjury       Assistant Director
      Compensation Programs                  Torts Branch
    Healthcare Systems Bureau                Civil Division
    Health Resources and Services            U.S. Department of Justice
      Administration                         P.O. Box 146
    U.S. Department of Health                Benjamin Franklin Station
      and Human Services                     Washington, DC 20044-0146
    5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B               Tel: (202) 616-4357
    Rockville, MD 20857                      darryl. wishard@usdoj.gov

    Dated: O -:r/Ob f-ze.z I

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