Court Opinion

ID: 4419768
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-24 20:01:50.701146+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:04.959025
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*********************
JEREMY EAMICK,           *                          No. 15-519V
                         *                          Special Master Christian J. Moran
             Petitioner, *
                         *
v.                       *                          Filed: June 26, 2019
                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *                          Damages; hepatitis A vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                          hepatitis B vaccine; Miller-Fisher;
                         *                          Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
             Respondent. *
*********************

Edward M, Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner;
Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

             UNPUBLISHED DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On May 21, 2015, Jeremy Eamick filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa–1
through 34, alleging that the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, and tetanus-
diphtheria-pertussis vaccines caused him to suffer the Miller-Fisher variant of
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). Following an entitlement hearing, on May 15,
2018, the undersigned ruled that Mr. Eamick is entitled to compensation under the
Vaccine Act for his GBS injury due to the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Ruling,
2018 WL 2926048.

       On June 24, 2019, respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, to
which petitioner agrees. Based upon the record as a whole, the special master
finds the proffer reasonable and that petitioner is entitled to an award of life care

       1
         The E-Government Act, 44 § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website.
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of
medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any
redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
items, lost earnings, pain and suffering damages, and past unreimbursable expenses
as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the attached Proffer, the following is awarded
to petitioner:

       A. A lump sum payment of $1,217,984.83 representing compensation
          for life care expenses expected to be incurred during the first year
          after judgment ($17,522.35), lost earnings ($950,125.39), pain and
          suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($337.09),
          in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jeremy Eamick.

       B. 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 attached to the
          proffer.

       These payments represent compensation for all damages that would be
available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a). In the absence of a motion for review
filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case
15-519V according to this decision and the attached proffer.2

     Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Andrew Schick, at (202)
357-6360.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/Christian J. Moran
                                                     Christian J. Moran
                                                     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.
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

JEREMY EAMICK,

               Petitioner,

v.                                                     No. 15-519V
                                                       Special Master Moran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

               Respondent.

             RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       In his Ruling on Entitlement issued on May 15, 2018, the Special Master found that a

preponderance of the evidence supported Jeremy Eamick’s (“petitioner’s”) claim that hepatitis A

and hepatitis B vaccines administered to him on July 17, 2012, caused his Miller-Fisher variant

of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Respondent now Proffers the following regarding the amount of

compensation to be awarded. 1

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Life Care Items

       Respondent engaged life care planner Linda Curtis, RN, MS, CCM, CNLCP, and

petitioner engaged Susan Guth, LCSW, CCM, CLCP, 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 Special Master’s Ruling on Entitlement. 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 Jeremy Eamick,” attached hereto as Appendix

       1
          The parties have no objection to the proffered award of damages. However, respondent
reserves his right to seek review of the Special Master’s decision pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
12(e)(1).
                                                 -1-
A. 2 Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded all items of compensation set forth in

the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached as Appendix A. Petitioner agrees.

          B.     Lost Earnings

          The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, Jeremy Eamick has suffered

past loss of earnings and will suffer a loss of earnings in the future due to his vaccine-related

injuries. Therefore, respondent proffers that Jeremy Eamick 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 Jeremy Eamick’s lost earnings is $950,125.39. Petitioner agrees.

          C.     Pain and Suffering

          Respondent proffers that Jeremy Eamick should be awarded $250,000.00 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.     Past Unreimbursable Expenses

          Evidence supplied by petitioner documents his expenditure of past unreimbursable

expenses related to his vaccine-related injuries. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $337.09.

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 Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 3

          2
        The chart at Appendix A illustrates the annual benefits provided by the life care plan.
The annual benefit years run from the date of judgment up to the first anniversary of the date of
judgment, and every year thereafter up to the anniversary of the date of judgment.

                                                 -2-
       A. A lump sum payment of $1,217,984.83, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($17,522.35), lost earnings

($950,125.39), pain and suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($337.09), in

the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jeremy Eamick.

       B. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, 4 subject to the conditions

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

as illustrated by the chart at Appendix A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company 5

from which the annuity will be purchased. 6 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,

Jeremy Eamick, only so long as Jeremy Eamick 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

       3
         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.
       4
         In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts
from one or more life insurance companies.
       5
          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.
       6
         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.
                                                -3-
monthly, quarterly, annual or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in the chart at

Appendix 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.

       1.      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 Appendix A that are to be paid through

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

of judgment for non-medical items, and five percent (5%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for medical items. Petitioner agrees.

       2.      Life-contingent annuity

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

Company only so long as he, Jeremy Eamick, 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 Jeremy Eamick’s death.

       3.      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, Jeremy Eamick:                          $1,217,984.83

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

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              JOSEPH H. HUNT
                                              Assistant Attorney General

                                                 -4-
                       C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                       Acting Director
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       CATHARINE E. REEVES
                       Deputy Director
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                       Assistant Director
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       /s/LISA A. WATTS
                       LISA A. WATTS
                       Senior Trial Attorney
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division
                       U. S. Department of Justice
                       P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
                       Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                       Direct dial: (202) 616-4099

Dated: June 24, 2019

                         -5-
                                                 Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Jeremy Eamick                                           Page 1 of 2

                                                  Lump Sum
                                                 Compensation    Compensation   Compensation   Compensation    Compensation    Compensation
     ITEMS OF COMPENSATION        G.R.   *   M      Year 1        Years 2-15      Year 16       Years 17-25     Years 26-33    Years 34-Life
                                                     2019         2020-2033        2034         2035-2043       2044-2051       2052-Life
Tricare Deductible                5%                    150.00         150.00         150.00          150.00          150.00          150.00
Medicare Part B Premium           5%         M        1,626.00       1,626.00       1,626.00        1,626.00
Primary Care Physician            5%     *
Mileage: Primary Care Physician   4%                      1.08           1.08           1.08            1.08           1.08            1.08
Neurology                         5%
Mileage: Neurology                4%                     15.20          15.20          15.20           15.20          15.20           15.20
Pain Management                   5%     *
Mileage: Pain Management          4%                     29.12          29.12          29.12           29.12          29.12           29.12
Physiatry                         4%     *
Mileage: Physiatry                4%                      3.48           3.48           3.48            3.48           3.48            3.48
Counseling                        4%     *
Mileage: Counseling               4%                     68.88
Care Management                   4%         M        1,110.00       1,110.00       1,110.00       1,110.00        1,110.00        1,110.00
Gabapentin                        5%     *
Metho-carbamol                    5%     *
Wellbutrin                        5%     *
Naproxen                          5%     *
Pravastatin                       5%     *
Hydrochlorothiazide               5%     *
Walker                            4%                     76.99          15.40          15.40          15.40           15.40           15.40
Manual Wheelchair                 4%                    225.00          22.50          22.50          22.50           22.50           22.50
Walking Sticks                    4%                     59.98          12.00          12.00          12.00           12.00           12.00
Knee Brace                        4%                     43.98          43.98          43.98          43.98           43.98           43.98
Elbow Brace                       4%                     33.98          33.98          33.98          33.98           33.98           33.98
Knee Ice Wrap                     4%                     59.40          19.80          19.80          19.80           19.80           19.80
Low Back Ice Wrap                 4%                     59.99          20.00          20.00          20.00           20.00           20.00
Heating Pad                       4%                     23.98           4.80           4.80           4.80            4.80            4.80
Shower Chair                      4%                     28.87           5.77           5.77           5.77            5.77            5.77
Reacher                           4%                     55.40           9.23           9.23           9.23            9.23            9.23
Dressing Aid                      4%                     39.50           6.58           6.58           6.58            6.58            6.58
Scooter                           4%                                                1,635.00         163.50          163.50          163.50
                                                            Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Jeremy Eamick                                                  Page 2 of 2

                                                              Lump Sum
                                                             Compensation      Compensation    Compensation     Compensation     Compensation    Compensation
     ITEMS OF COMPENSATION                  G.R.   *    M       Year 1          Years 2-15       Year 16         Years 17-25      Years 26-33    Years 34-Life
                                                                 2019           2020-2033         2034           2035-2043        2044-2051       2052-Life
Scooter Batteries                            4%                                                       99.98             99.98            99.98           99.98
Physical Therapy Evaluation                  4%    *
Mileage: Physical Therapy Evaluation         4%                        1.04             1.04             1.04             1.04           1.04            1.04
Physical Therapy                             4%    *
Mileage: Physical Therapy                    4%                       12.48             2.50             2.50             2.50           2.50            2.50
YMCA                                         4%                      762.00           762.00           762.00           762.00
Companion Care/Personal Care Att.            4%         M          6,864.00         6,864.00         6,864.00         6,864.00      16,425.00       16,425.00
Ancillary Services                           4%         M          1,824.00         1,824.00         1,824.00         1,824.00       1,824.00        1,824.00
Ancillary Services                           4%         M          1,848.00         1,848.00         1,848.00         1,848.00       1,848.00
Chair Lift                                   4%                    2,500.00
Scooter Car Carrier                          4%                                                      1,294.99           129.50         129.50          129.50
Lost Earnings                                                    950,125.39
Pain and Suffering                                               250,000.00
Past Unreimbursable Expenses                                         337.09
Annual Totals                                                  1,217,984.83        14,430.46        17,460.43       14,823.44       21,996.44       20,148.44
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 ($17,522.35), lost earnings ($950,125.39), pain and suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable
expenses ($337.09): $1,217,984.83.
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.