Court Opinion

ID: 6354411
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-24 21:01:18.653958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:34.814228
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 18-1872V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    KELVIN HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ,                                  Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: May 24, 2022
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                                Barre Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Roberto E. Ruiz-Comas, RC Legal & Litigation Services PSC, San Juan, PR, for
Petitioner.

Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

        On December 6, 2018, Kelvin Hernandez Gonazlez 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 Guillain Barre
Syndrome (GBS) resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccination received
on November 18, 2015. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges he received the vaccination
within the United States, experienced symptoms of GBS more than three days after, and
within six weeks of vaccination, that he suffered the residual effects or complications of
his illness for more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever
filed any action for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-3. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
       On October 24, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On May 24, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded all items of
compensation set forth in the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A.
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. 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 the
following compensation:

    1. A lump sum payment of $529,651.76, representing compensation for life
       care expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment
       ($144,737.80), lost earnings ($169,913.96), and pain and suffering
       ($215,000.00) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Kelvin
       Hernandez Gonzalez.

    2. A lump sum payment of $63,435.57, representing compensation for
       satisfaction of a Puerto Rico Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Petitioner
       and the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program, and mailed to:

                             Puerto Rico Medicaid Program
                       Puerto Rico Medicaid Program Integrity Unit
                                      PO Box 70184
                               San Juan, PR 00936-8184
                              Member ID #: 80007226931
                                Attn: María García Ducós

    3. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, subject to the
       conditions described in the Proffer, that will provide payments for the life
       care items contained in the life care plan, as illustrated by the chart at Tab
       A, beginning with compensation for Year Two (on the first anniversary of
       the date of the judgment) and all subsequent years, paid to the life
       insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased.

This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
§ 15(a).

                                             2
       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.

                                                      3
            IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                      OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

KELVIN HERNANDEZ GONZALEZ,

                       Petitioner,                    No. 18-1872V
      v.                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU)
                                                      ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On December 6, 2018, Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez (“petitioner”) filed a petition for

compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1

to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome

(“GBS”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 18, 2015.

Petition at 1. On October 23, 2019, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”)

filed his Rule 4(c) Report, concluding that petitioner suffered GBS following a flu vaccine as

defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and within the Table timeframe. ECF No. 25. On October

24, 2019, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.

ECF No. 26.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Life Care Items

       Respondent engaged life care planner Laura E. Fox, MSN, BSN, RN, CLCP, and

petitioner engaged José Carlo, M.D., FAAN, to provide an estimation of petitioner’s future

vaccine-injury related needs. For the purposes of this proffer, the term “vaccine related” is as

described in the respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report. All items of compensation identified in the life
care plan are supported by the evidence, and are illustrated by the chart entitled Appendix A:

Items of Compensation for Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez, attached hereto as Tab A. Respondent

proffers that petitioner should be awarded all items of compensation set forth in the life care plan

and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A. Petitioner agrees.

          B.     Lost Earnings

          The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez has

suffered a loss of earnings. Therefore, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded lost

earnings as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Respondent

proffers that the appropriate award for Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez’s lost earnings is

$169,913.96. Petitioner agrees.

          C.     Pain and Suffering

          Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $215,000.00 in actual and

projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and

suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner

agrees.

          D.     Puerto Rico Medicaid Program Lien

          Respondent proffers that Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez should be awarded funds to satisfy

a Puerto Rico Medicaid Program lien in the amount of $63,435.57, which represents full

satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the Puerto

Rico Medicaid Program may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments

the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program has made to or on behalf of Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez from

the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of his

                                                   2
vaccine-related injury suffered on or about November 18, 2015, under Title XIX of the Social

Security Act.

II.    Form of the Award

       The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a combination of lump sum payments and future annuity payments as described below,

and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the

following: 1

       A. A lump sum payment of $529,651.76, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($144,737.80), lost earnings

($169,913.96), and pain and suffering ($215,000.00), in the form of a check payable to

petitioner, Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez.

       B. A lump sum payment of $63,435.57, representing compensation for satisfaction of a

Puerto Rico Medicaid Program lien, payable jointly to petitioner and:

                                 Puerto Rico Medicaid Program
                          Puerto Rico Medicaid Program Integrity Unit
                                         PO Box 70184
                                   San Juan, PR 00936-8184
                                  Member ID #: 80007226931
                                   Attn: María García Ducós

Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program.

       C. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, 2 subject to the conditions

described below, that will provide payments for the life care items contained in the life care plan,

1
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical
expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2
 In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts from one or
more life insurance companies.
                                                 3
                                                 d

as illustrated by the chart at Tab A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company 3 from

which the annuity will be purchased. 4 Compensation for Year Two (beginning on the first

anniversary of the date of judgment) and all subsequent years shall be provided through

respondent’s purchase of an annuity, which annuity shall make payments directly to petitioner,

Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez, only so long as petitioner is alive at the time a particular payment is

due. At the Secretary’s sole discretion, the periodic payments may be provided to petitioner in

monthly, quarterly, annual or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in the chart at

Tab A describe only the total yearly sum to be paid to petitioner and do not require that the

payment be made in one annual installment.

       Growth Rate

       Respondent proffers that a four percent (4%) growth rate should be applied to all non-

medical life care items, and a five percent (5%) growth rate should be applied to all medical life

care items. Thus, the benefits illustrated in the chart at Tab A that are to be paid through annuity

payments should grow as follows: four percent (4%) compounded annually from the date of

3
 The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and surplus,
exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company must have
one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:

               a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;

               b. Moody's Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;

               c. Standard and Poor's Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-,
               AA, AA+, or AAA;

               d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability
               Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.
4
 Petitioner authorizes the disclosure of certain documents filed by the petitioner in this case
consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.
                                                 4
judgment for non-medical items, and five percent (5%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for medical items. Petitioner agrees.

       Life-contingent annuity

       Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance

Company only so long as he, Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez, is alive at the time that a particular

payment is due. Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services

and the Life Insurance Company within twenty (20) days of Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez’s death.

       Guardianship

       Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       A.     Lump Sum paid to petitioner, Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez:              $529,651.76

       B.     Medicaid lien:                                                       $ 63,435.57

       C.     An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described
              above in section II.C.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                             Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                             Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                 5
                        s/Adriana Teitel
                        ADRIANA TEITEL
                        Trial Attorney
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division
                        U. S. Department of Justice
                        P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
                        Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                        Tel: (202) 616-3677
                        Email: adriana.teitel@usdoj.gov

Dated:   May 24, 2022

                          6
                       Case 1:18-vv-01872-UNJ Document 69-1 Filed 05/24/22 Page 1 of 1
                               Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Kelvin Hernandez Gonzalez                         Page 1 of 1

                                                        Lump Sum
                                                       Compensation Compensation         Compensation
  ITEMS OF COMPENSATION              G.R.    *    M       Year 1      Years 2-4           Years 5-Life
                                                           2022      2023-2025             2026-Life
Medicare Part B Premium               5%     *    M          841.20       841.20
Medicare Part B Deductible            5%     *
Physical Therapy                      4%     *
Occupational Therapy                  4%     *
Prescription Medications              5%     *                 40.00            40.00            40.00
Attendant & Nursing Care              4%          M        47,450.00        47,450.00        47,450.00
WC Accesible Van & Mods               4%                   78,400.00         3,840.00         3,840.00
Home Modifications                    4%                   16,000.00
Emergency Assistance/Monitoring       4%                    2,006.60           668.87           668.87
Lost Earnings                                             169,913.96
Pain and Suffering                                        215,000.00
Medicaid Lien                                              63,435.57
Annual Totals                                             593,087.33        52,840.07        51,998.87
Note: Compensation Year 1 consists of the 12 month period following the date of judgment.
Compensation Year 2 consists of the 12 month period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of judgment.
As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment to petitioner for Yr 1 life care
expenses ($144,737.80), lost earnings ($169,913.96), and pain and suffering ($215,000.00): $529,651.76.
As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment jointly to
petitioner and the Puerto Rico Medicaid Program, as reimbursement of the Commonwealth's Medicaid lien: $63,435.57.
Annual amounts payable through an annuity for future Compensation Years follow the anniversary of the date of judgment.
Annual amounts shall increase at the rates indicated above in column G.R., compounded annually from the date of judgment.
Items denoted with an asterisk (*) covered by health insurance and/or Medicare.
Items denoted with an "M" payable in twelve monthly installments totaling the annual amount indicated.