Court Opinion

ID: 4707481
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-07-29 16:02:46.571923+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:44.173183
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1466V

(not to be published)
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*
MARY ANN JONES, :
* Filed: June 16, 2021
Petitioner, *
*
*
V. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Guillain-Barré
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND : syndrome (“GBS”).
HUMAN SERVICES, e
*
Respondent. *
*
*

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Diane Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner
Laurie Wiesner, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On September 24, 2019, Mary Ann Jones (“Petitioner”) filed a petition, seeking
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine
Program’).” Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome
(“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 4, 2017. See
Stipulation J 2, 4, dated June 16, 2021 (ECF No. 34); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that petitioner sustained GBS as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table;

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted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.
denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and denies that her
current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” See Stipulation { 6. Nonetheless, both
parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed June 16, 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 $150,000.00 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

 

 

 

MARY ANN JONES,

Petitioner, No. 19-1466V

Special Master Oler

v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Mary Ann Jones (“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 an injury allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt
of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the ““Table”), 42

C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. On October 4, 2017, petitioner received a flu vaccine.
3. The vaccine was administered in the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) within the

time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she 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 as a result of her alleged condition.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained GBS as defined in the Vaccine Injury

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Table; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and denies that
her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related 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 a
lump sum of $150,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This lump sum 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)(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 her attorney 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), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

11. | Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount
awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-1 5(i),
subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any
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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 paragraph 8, and any amount awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her 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 vaccine
administered on October 4, 2017, as alleged in a Petition filed on September 24, 2019, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1466V.

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
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as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS, or
any other injury or her current condition.

18. All rights and obligations of petitioner shall apply equally to petitioner’s heirs,

executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION

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JUN-11-2@a@21

Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:
MARY ae ea

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

A SEADELNIKAS, ESO

Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A.
1605 Main St, Suite 710
Sarasota, FL 34236

(888) 952-5242
dstadelnikas@mctlaw.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Dale Wushler, ONSc, WS, APE, fr

TAMARA OVERBY

Acting Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs

Healthcare Systems Bureau

Health Resources and Services
Administration

U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: OGIS/Zo2_)

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

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HEATHER L, PEARLMAN
Acting Deputy Director
Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O, Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

Cour Wiener
be RY SAW ( Dea s//~

LAURIE WIESNER

Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station

Washington, DC 20044-0146

202-305-0253

laurie. wiesner@usdoj.gov