Court Opinion

ID: 4707483
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-07-29 16:03:16.854676+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:44.294831
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 20-767V
(not to be published)
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*
GREGORY CARTER, :
* Filed: June 15, 2021
Petitioner, *
*
*
V. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
* Tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND : (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Miller Fisher variant of
HUMAN SERVICES, x Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).
*
Respondent. *
*
*

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Alison Haskins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner
James Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On June 25, 2020, Gregory Carter (“Petitioner”) filed a petition, seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).” Pet., ECF
No. 1. Petitioner alleges he suffered from the Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome as
a result of the tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination he received on
February 27, 2018. See Stipulation { 2, 4, dated June 15, 2021 (ECF No. 24); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted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. Jd.

* 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.
injury or condition.” See Stipulation { 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-
stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed June 15, 2021 that the issues before them can be
settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

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 $105,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner.

Stipulation { 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 IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master

 

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

 

 

)
GREGORY CARTER, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-767V
v. ) Special Master Katherine E. Oler

) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Gregory Carter, 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 a tetanus
diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine
Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received the Tdap vaccine on February 27, 2018.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from a non-Table injury, Guillain-Barré Syndrome
(“GBS”) — Miller Fisher variant, that was caused by receiving a Tdap vaccine, and that he
experienced the residual effects of this 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 asa result of his condition.

6. Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other
injury or condition.

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 $105,000.00 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).

9. Assoon 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 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.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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 unreimbursed 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 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 Tdap vaccination administered on February 27, 2018,
as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on June 25, 2020, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-767V.

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. 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.

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 Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS,
or any other injury or condition.

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:
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GREGORY CARTER

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE

PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

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ALISON H. HASKINS tHastins HEATHER L. PEARLMAN

Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. Acting Deputy Director

1605 Main Street, Suite 710 Torts Branch

Sarasota, Florida 34236 Civil Division

Tel: 888-952-5242 U.S. Department of Justice

ahaskins@mctlawyers.com P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR

OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:

AND HUMAN SERVICES:

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TAMARA OVERBY JAMES V. LOPEZ
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice
Health Resources and Services P.O. Box 146
Administration Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health Washington, DC 20044-0146
and Human Services Tel: (202) 616-3655
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B Email: james.lopez@usdoj. gov

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: 6-3-3057 alislzoz |