Court Opinion

ID: 4912322
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-20 16:05:03.482417+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:39.911845
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 17-0719V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MARCI TALLEY BANKS,                                         Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: August 19, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
                                                                Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Nancy Routh Meyers, Turning Point Litigation, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner.

Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On May 31, 2017, Marci Talley Banks 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 she suffered injuries, including Guillain-Barré
syndrome as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 18,
2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at August 17, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges
that she experienced the residual effects of the alleged injury for more than six months.
Petition at 3; Stipulation at ¶ 4. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained the onset of
a GBS Table injury within the time period set forth in the Table; and denies that the
vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injuries or any other injury or petitioner’s current
disabilities.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
       Nevertheless, on August 17, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:

        A lump sum of $371,400.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
        Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
        that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.

       I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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
                   IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

MARCI TALLEY BANKS,                            )
                                               )
        Petitioner,                            )         No. 17-719V
                                               )         Chief Special Master Corcoran
        v.                                     )
                                               )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                        )
HUMAN SERVICES,                                )
                                               )
        Respondent.                            )

                                         STIPULATION

 The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1.   Petitioner, Marci Talley Banks, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-lO to 34 (the "Vaccine

Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's

receipt of the Influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table

(the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

        2.   Petitioner received the vaccine on or about October 18, 2016.

        3.   The vaccine was administered within the United States.

        4.   The petition alleges that petitioner sustained the first symptom or manifestation of

the onset of Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS"), as defined in the Table, within the time period

set forth in the Table, and further alleges that petitioner developed gross motor weakness as

sequela of the alleged Table injury and experienced residual effects of the alleged injury for

more than six months. In the alternative, petitioner alleges that the vaccine actually caused

petitioner's alleged injuries.

                                                   -1-
        5.     Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of _a civil

action for damages arising out of the alleged vaccine injury.

        6.     Respondent denies that petitioner sustained the onset of a OBS Table injury within

the time period set forth in the Table; and denies that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged

injuries or any other injury or petitioner's current disabilities.

        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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

         A lump sum of $371,400.00 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. 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)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings

before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in any

proceeding upon this petition.

             10. Petitioner and petitioner's 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
                                                     -2-
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,

and 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).

          11. Payment(s) 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 of42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and(h).

          13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in

petitioner's individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner's 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 United States 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 vaccination as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation
                                                   -3-
filed on or about May 31, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No.

17-719V.

           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 United States 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 actor 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 vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injury or

any other injury or petitioner's current condition.

           18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to

petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
                                                  -4-
END OF STIPULATION

        -5-
07/28/2021    10:20       7066290059        PAK MAIL CALHOUN                             PAGE   01

      Respectfully submitted,

      PETITIONER:

     ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR                    AUTHORIZED REPRESENTA:
     PETITIONER:                            OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

     ~
     NANCY      .S                 -        HEATIIER L. PEARLMAN
     TIJRNING POINT LITIGATION              Deput;y Director
     300 North Greene St., Suite 2000       Torts Branch, Civil Division
     Greensboro, NC 27401                   U.S. Department of Jus&e
     Tel: (336) 645-3324                    P.O.Box 146
                                            Benjamin Franklin. Station
                                            Washington, DC 20044-0146

      AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE             A1TORNEYOFRECORDFOR
    . OF~SECRETARYOFBEALTH                  RESPONDENT:
      AND HUMAN SERVICES:
                                            ~ C               N at4f~
     z;;,tdL ~ , _z;,l(Sc,,J':-L                                    L(?
     TAMARA OVERBY                          COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
     Acting Dii:ector, Division of Injury   Trial Attorney
      Compeosation Progral]$                Torts Branch
     Healthcare Systems Bureau              Civil DivEion
     Health Resources 8lld Services         U.S. Department of Justice
      Admu:mtration                         P.O.Box 146
     U.S. Department of Health              Benjamin Franklin Station
      and Human Services                    Washington, DC 20044--0 l46
     5600 FJShers Lane, 08Nl46B             Tel; (202) 616-3644
     Rockville, :MD 2o·g57                  Email: colleen.hartley@usdoj.gov
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