Court Opinion

ID: 6350714
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-17 13:01:25.341175+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:29.879072
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-549V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    ALFRED SANDOVAL,                                            Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: May 4, 2022
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
                                                                Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Scot Tyler Scheuerman, Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC, San Antonio, TX, for Petitioner.

James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On May 4, 2020, Alfred Sandoval 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 the adverse effects of an influenza vaccination received on October 11,
2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at May 3, 2022, ¶¶ 1-3. Petitioner further alleges that
the vaccination was administered within the United States, that his GBS persisted for
more than six months, and that neither he, nor any other party, has ever filed any action
for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent
denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged GBS or any other injury or
condition.” 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1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
2National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
      Nevertheless, on May 3, 2022, 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 $125,000.00 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 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.

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

                                               )
ALFRED SANDOVAL,                               )
                                               )
                Petitioner,                    )
                                               )      No. 20-549V
        V.                                     )      Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
                                               )      ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                        )
HUMAN SERVICES,                                )
                                               )
                Respondent.                    )

                                         STIPULATION

        The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        I. Alfred Sandoval, 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 injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt

of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the

"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3 (a).

       2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 11, 2018.

       3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("GBS") as a result

of receiving the flu vaccine, and that he 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 on his behalf as a result of his condition.
        6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS or any other

injury or condition.

        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-2 I(a)(I ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $125,000.00 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).

       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-2 I(a)( I), 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.

        I0. 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-l 5(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.

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        11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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 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 paragraphs 8 and 9, 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 al I

known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting

from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on October 11, 2018, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on May 4, 2020, in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-549V.

        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.

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        15. 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 confonnity 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 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 his current condition.

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

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

                                    END OF STIPULATION

                                                  4
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONEf7_ /

~u. ~
ALFEDSANDOVAL

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                                           AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                                                      OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

s, ~
Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC
322 West Woodlawn Ave
                                                                 ~M        tJ'-\i..Q-e.vJ.N'l.C---
                                                                 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                                 Deputy Director
                                                                 Torts Branch
San Antonio, Texas 78212                                         Civil Division
Tel: (210) 735-2233                                              U.S. Department of Justice
Emai 1: tyler@sch-lawfirm.com                                    P.O. Box 146
                                                                 Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                                 Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                                        ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                       RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

                                                                  ~J~LQ~~
                          Digitally signed by George R.
George R. Grimes-S14      Grimes-S14
                          Date: 2022.04.01 16:16:01 -0400'

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH                                  JAMES V. LOPEZ
Director, Division of Injury                                     Trial Attorney
 Compensation Programs                                           Torts Branch, Civil Division
Health Systems Bureau                                            U.S. Department of Justice
Health Resources and Services                                    P.O. Box 146
 Administration                                                  Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health                                        Washington, DC 20044-0146
 and Human Services                                              Tel: (202) 616-3655
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 1468                                      Email: james.lopez@usdoj.gov
Rockville, MD 20857

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