Court Opinion

ID: 4664738
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-04 14:01:44.432157+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:38.047725
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-604V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MICHAEL BRENT KLUSMAN,                                      Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: January 21, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                                Barre Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

William Patrick Ronan, III, The Ronan Law Firm, Overland Park, KS, for petitioner.

Ida Nassar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On April 23, 2019, Michael Brent Klusman 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 he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 8, 2017. Petition at 1.
Petitioner further alleges the the vaccine was administered in the United States, that he
has suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that there has
been no previous award or settlement of a civil action for his injury. Petition at 1, 20. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

     On May 11, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for GBS. On January 21, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $225,300.10

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
(comprised of $225,00.00 for pain and suffering, and $300.10 for out-of-pocket medical
expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is
entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $225,300.10 (comprised of $225,00.00 for pain and suffering, and
$300.10 for out-of-pocket medical expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 15(a).

       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.

                                                    2
          Case 1:19-vv-00604-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/21/21 Page 1 of 3

               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                         OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
                                    )
MICHAEL BRENT KLUSMAN,              )
                                    )
       Petitioner,                  )    No. 19-604V ECF
                                    )
              v.                    )    Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                 )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                 )
                                    )
       Respondent.                  )
___________________________________ )

                      PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1

I.     Procedural History

       On April 23, 2019, Michael Brent Klusman (“petitioner”) filed a petition for

compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.

§§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended. He alleges that, as a result of receiving the influenza vaccine on

November 8, 2017, he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). See Petition. On April

30, 2020, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS

as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table timeframe. On May 11, 2020, Chief

Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to

compensation for a GBS Table injury.

II.    Items of Compensation

       Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

a lump sum of $225,300.10 for all damages, including $225,000.00 representative of pain and

1
  This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.
          Case 1:19-vv-00604-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/21/21 Page 2 of 3

suffering, and $300.10 representative of out-of-pocket medical and related expenses. This

amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. §

300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

III.   Form of the Award

       Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment, as described below, and requests that the Chief Special Master’s

decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: A lump sum payment of $225,300.10 in

the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2 Petitioner agrees.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                              Acting Assistant Attorney General

                                              C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                                              Acting Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                              HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                              Acting Deputy Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                              DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                              Assistant Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

2
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for
future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.

                                                 2
        Case 1:19-vv-00604-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/21/21 Page 3 of 3

                                   /s/ Ida Nassar
                                   IDA NASSAR
                                   Trial Attorney
                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                   U.S. Department of Justice
                                   P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station
                                   Washington D.C. 20044-0146
                                   Tel: (202) 616-4186
                                   E-mail: ida.nassar@usdoj.gov

Date: January 21, 2021

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