Court Opinion

ID: 2645817
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-12-13 01:01:52.581192+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:51:27.843145
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                             (E-Filed: November 19, 2013)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
ALBERT ROSCOE FLEMING     *                       No. 12-832V
                          *
              Petitioner, *                       Special Master
                          *                       Hamilton-Fieldman
v.                        *
                          *                       Stipulated Decision; Influenza
SECRETARY OF HEALTH       *                       Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome
AND HUMAN SERVICES,       *
                          *
              Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hylton Dupree, Marietta, GA, for petitioner.
Ann Martin, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1

       On December 3, 2012, Albert Roscoe Fleming (“petitioner”), filed a petition for
compensation alleging that he suffered certain injuries as a result of receiving a
vaccination. Among the injuries petitioner alleged that he had suffered as a result of
receiving a trivalent influenza vaccination was Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He sought an
award under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program 2 (the Act or the Program). 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34

       1
               Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s
action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States
Court of Federal Claims’ website, 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 (2006)). 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). Otherwise, “the entire” decision
will be available to the public. Id.
       2
              The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of
the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755,
                                             1
(2006).

        On November 8, 2013, 2008, counsel for both parties filed a stipulation, stating
that a decision should be entered awarding compensation and that the parties had also
reached an agreement regarding attorneys’ fees and costs. The parties stipulated that
petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

       A lump sum of $ 286,000.00 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) . . . .

Stipulation ¶ 8(a).

       The parties further stipulated that they had reached the following agreement with
respect to attorneys’ fees:

       A lump sum of $19,156.24 in the form of a check payable to petitioner and
       petitioner’s attorney, Hylton B. Dupree, J., for attorneys’ fees and costs
       available under 42 U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). In compliance with General
       Order No. 9, no out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by petitioner in
       proceeding on the petition.

Stipulation ¶8(b).

       Pursuant to the attached Stipulation (Appendix A), the undersigned approves as
reasonable the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award
should be made in the form of a check payable to Petitioner in the amount of
$286,000.00. The undersigned also approves the requested amount for attorneys’ fees
and costs as reasonable. Accordingly, an award should be made in the form of a
check payable jointly to Petitioner and Mr. Hylton Dupree in the amount of
$19,156.24.

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

codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All
citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. §
300aa.
       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
IT IS SO ORDERED.

                    s/Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
                    Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
                    Special Master

                      3
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
ALBERT ROSCOE FLEMING,               )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 12-832V
      v.                            )   Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Petitioner, Albert Roscoe Fleming, 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 an influenza immunization on October 1, 2010.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the

influenza vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced residual effects of his condition

for more than six months.

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

for damages on his behalf as a result of his injuries.

       6. Respondent denies that petitioner’s influenza vaccine caused GBS, 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 payments:

       a.     A lump sum of $286,000.00 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); and

       b.      A lump sum of $19,156.24 in the form of a check payable jointly to
       petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Hylton B. Dupree, Jr., for attorneys’ fees and
       costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). In compliance with General Order
       #9, no out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the
       petition.

       9. Petitioner and his 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

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.

       10. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation will be made in

accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

       11. 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.

                                                  2
§ 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h).

       12. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, petitioner, in his individual

capacity, and on behalf of his 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 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 influenza vaccination administered on October 1, 2010, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about December 3, 2012,

in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 12-832V.

       13. 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.

       14. 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.

       15. 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. 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

                                                  3
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.

       16. 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 to develop

GBS, or any other injury.

       17. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s

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

                                    END OF STIPULATION

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