Court Opinion

ID: 6495558
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-27 21:01:47.584029+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:45:47.269894
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1844V

(not to be published)
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PAUL WARE,
Filed: April 26, 2022
Petitioner,
Vv.

Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
Influenza (“flu”) Vaccine; Guillain-Barré

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND syndrome (“GBS”)

HUMAN SERVICES,

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Respondent. *
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Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner
Ryan D. Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On December 4, 2019, Paul Ware (“Petitioner”), filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”). Pet., ECF
No. 1. Petitioner alleged that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the
influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on December 19, 2016. See Stipulation § 1, 2, dated April
26, 2022 (ECF No. 43); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that petitioner ever sustained GBS; denies that petitioner sustained a

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted
on the Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. §
3501 (2012). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As
provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of
certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen
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). Otherwise, the Decision in its present form will be available. /d.

* The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§$ 300aa-10-34 (2012)) (hereinafter
“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the
pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
Table injury within the timeframe set forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization
caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injury and/or any other injury.” See
Stipulation § 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed
in a stipulation dated April 26, 2022 that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision
should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation. ECF No. 43.

I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth
therein.

The stipulation awards:
A lump sum of $205,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.

Stipulation J 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made 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.

IT ISSO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler

Katherine E. Oler
Special Master

 

> Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

 

PAUL WARE,

Petitioner,
Vv. No, 19-1844V

Special Master Katherine E. Oler

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Paul Ware (“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 an
influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”),
42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about December 19, 2016.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome
(“GBS”) and that he experienced residual effects 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 condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner ever sustained GBS; denies that petitioner sustained
a Table injury within the timeframe set forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization
caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury and/or any other 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 $205,000.00 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) for injuries allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt of the flu vaccine.

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 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.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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, and past unreimbursable 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-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 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 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 vaccination administered on or
about December 19, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed
on or about December 4, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-
1844V.

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. Ifthe 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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged
condition and/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

~ ™~ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

Gel We

PAUL WARE

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

Aehl?—

JEFFREY S. Pop & ASSOCIATES
9150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 241
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 273-5462

jpo oplawyer.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R. Grimes - _ Digitally signed by George R.
Grimes -S14
$14 Date: 2022.04.08 15:22:52 -04'00"

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 0O8N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

 

Dated: othelro22

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

ath av ke ow tTWV\—~.
WPartcn L. PEARLMAN

Deputy Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station

Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

 

RYAN D. PYLES

Senior Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-9847

ryan.pyles@usdoj.gov