Court Opinion

ID: 4471492
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-01-10 17:01:41.428735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:08:36.233548
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                   Filed: November 22, 2019

*************************
STEVEN JENKINS,             *                        No. 16-1614V
                            *
                Petitioner, *                        Special Master Sanders
                            *
v.                          *
                            *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH         *                        Stipulation for Award; Influenza (“flu”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,         *                        vaccine; Transverse Myelitis (“TM”)
                            *
                Respondent. *
*************************

Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.
Mallori Openchowski, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                           DECISION 1

       On December 6, 2016, Steven Jenkins (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34
(2012). Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 20, 2015,
caused him to develop transverse myelitis (“TM”). See Stip. at 1, ECF No. 57. Petitioner further
alleged that he experienced the residual effects of his injury for more than six months. Id.

        On November 22, 2019, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision
should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Id. at 2. Respondent denies that the flu
vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged TM, or any other injury. Id. at 1–2. Nevertheless, the parties
agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. I find the stipulation reasonable and
adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

1
  This decision shall be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 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 (2012)). This means the Decision will be
available to anyone with access to the Internet. As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party
has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that
is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2)
that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b).
2
    National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
       The parties stipulate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the
following vaccine compensation payments:

               a. A lump sum of $355,744.28, which amount represents compensation
                  for first year life care expenses ($110,673.52), pain and suffering
                  ($170,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($75,070.76) in
                  the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner;

               b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in
                  paragraph 10 of the Stipulation, paid to the life insurance company
                  from which the annuity will be purchased.

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

Id.

       I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award
should be made consistent with the stipulation.

       In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation. 3

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/Herbrina D. Sanders
                                                     Herbrina D. Sanders
                                                     Special Master

3
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                2