Court Opinion

ID: 4689666
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-25 13:02:03.141889+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:02:22.759398
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0420V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MICHAEL POOLE,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: April 23, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                                Barre Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On April 13, 2020, Michael Poole 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to him on October 4, 2017. Petition at
1. Petitioner further alleges that his injury lasted for more than six months. Petition at 3.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On November 5, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for GBS. On April 22, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $229,310.16
representing $225,000.00 in pain and suffering and $4,310.16 for past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
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 a lump
sum payment of $229,310.16 (representing $225,000 in pain and suffering and
$4,310.16 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 15(a).

       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
___________________________________
                                    )
MICHAEL POOLE,                      )
                                    )
         Petitioner,                )   No. 20-420V (ECF)
                                    )   Chief Special Master Corcoran
             v.                     )
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                 )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                 )
                                    )
       Respondent.                  )
___________________________________ )

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On April 13, 2020, Michael Poole (“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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) after receiving an

influenza vaccine on October 4, 2017. Petition at 1. On November 4, 2020, the Secretary of

Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is

appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury, and on

November 5, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner

entitled to compensation. ECF No. 16; ECF No. 17.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.     Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $225,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
       B.      Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses

related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past

unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $4,310.16. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B).

Petitioner agrees.

       These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.    Form of the Award

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

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a

lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and

the Court’s judgment award the following: a lump sum payment of $229,310.16 in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Michael Poole:                              $229,310.16

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                             Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                             Acting Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

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                          Sarah B. Rifkin
                          SARAH B. RIFKIN
                          Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division
                          U.S. Department of Justice
                          P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
                          Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                          Tel: (202) 305-5997
                          Email: sarah.rifkin@usdoj.gov

DATED:   April 22, 2021

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