Court Opinion

ID: 2677624
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-06-09 20:01:00.6921+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:11:52.870243
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                    No. 13-804V
                              (E-Filed: May 16, 2014)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MARK CLEVELAND,            *                     UNPUBLISHED
                           *
                           *                     Stipulation; Influenza Vaccine;
         Petitioner,       *                     Tetanus-diphtheria Vaccine;
                           *                     Guillain-Barre Syndrome;
 v.                        *                     Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Reasonable
                           *                     Amount Requested to which Respondent
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *                     Does not Object
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
         Respondent.       *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kate Gerayne Westad, Minneapolis, MN, for Petitioner

Ann Donohue Martin, Washington, DC, for Respondent

                             UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1

       On May 16, 2014, Respondent filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for
compensation filed by Mark Cleveland on October 16, 2013. In his petition, Petitioner
alleged that the influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
“Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which he received on November 1, 2010, and/or the
tetanus-diphtheria vaccine on November 16, 2010, caused him to develop Guillain-Barre
1
       Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
undersigned’s action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this order on the United
States Court of Federal Claims website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of
2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44
U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 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 entire”
order will be available to the public. Id.
Syndrome (GBS). Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award
or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition.
Stipulation at ¶¶ 2, 4, 5.

       Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused Petitioner to suffer GBS or
any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as
Appendix A. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the
decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

        Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

        a.    A lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
              Petitioner, Mark Cleveland. This amount represents compensation
              for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a);
              and

        b.    A lump sum of $29,750.00 in the form of a check payable jointly to
              Petitioner and Petitioner’s attorney Kate G. Westad, for attorneys’
              fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(e). In compliance
              with General Order #9, Petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket expenses
              in proceeding on the petition.

       In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the
clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 13-804V according to this decision and the
attached stipulation. 2

        Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Camille Collett, at (202) 357-
6361.

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                           s/Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
                                           Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
                                           Special Master

2
       Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of
Federal Claims judge.
                                              2
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
MARK CLEVELAND,                      )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 13-804V
      v.                            )   Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Petitioner, Mark Cleveland, 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 the influenza vaccine and/or tetanus-diphtheria (“Td”) vaccine, which vaccines are contained

in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

       2. Petitioner received an influenza vaccine on November 1, 2010, and a Td vaccine on

November 16, 2010.

       3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the

influenza and/or Td vaccine(s). Petitioner further alleges that he experienced residual effects of

his 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 as a result of his injuries.
       6. Respondent denies that petitioner’s influenza and/or Td vaccine(s) caused his GBS or

any other 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

the following vaccine compensation payments:

       a.     A lump sum of $100,000.00 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); and

       b.      A lump sum of $29,750.00 in the form of a check payable jointly to
       petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Kate G. Westad, for attorneys’ fees and costs
       available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). In compliance with General Order #9,
       petitioner represents that no personal, out-of-pocket litigation expenses were
       incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the petition.

       9. 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.

       10. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation will be made in

accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

       11. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award

                                                  2
for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, 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).

       12. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, 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 influenza vaccination administered on November 1, 2010,

and/or the Td vaccination administered on November 16, 2010, as alleged by petitioner in a

petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October 16, 2013, in the United States Court

of Federal Claims as petition No. 13-804V.

       13. 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.

       14. 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.

                                                  3
       15. 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. 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.

       16. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the influenza vaccine and/or the Td vaccine caused

petitioner to develop GBS or any other injury.

       17. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                    END OF STIPULATION

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