Court Opinion

ID: 4581358
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-10-28 17:01:50.891314+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:44:56.590294
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                   Filed: September 3, 2020

*************************
JOHN R. HARNISCH,           *                          No. 18-1656V
                            *
                Petitioner, *                          Special Master Sanders
                            *
v.                          *
                            *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH         *                          Stipulation; GBS; Flu Vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,         *                          Pneumococcal Vaccine.
                            *
                Respondent. *
*************************

Kristin M. Cafferty, Habush, Habush & Rottier, Racine, WI, for Petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                            DECISION1

       On October 26, 2018, John R. Harnisch (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34
(2012); Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine and/or the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine he received on November 16, 2015, caused him to suffer from
Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”). See id.;Stip. at 1, ECF No. 29. Petitioner further alleged that
he experienced the residual effects of his injuries for more than six months. Stip. at 1.

         On August 26, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should
be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stip. at 2. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
caused Petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury. Id. 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 Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

               A lump sum of $406,704.48, which amount represents compensation for
               first year life care expenses ($24,334.26), lost earnings ($275,000.00),
               pain and suffering ($75,000.00)[,] and past unreimbursable expenses
               ($32,370.22) in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner; and . . . [a]n
               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. . . . These amounts
               represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
               42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Id. at 2.

       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.