Court Opinion

ID: 4207981
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-09-29 20:02:44.731234+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:41:16.052495
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-1066V
                                      Filed: March 8, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

****************************
VICKIE L. DERN, Personal               *
Representative of the Estate of        *
DAVID J. DERN, deceased,               *
                                       *
                     Petitioner,       *      Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v.                                     *      Influenza; Guillain-Barre Syndrome
                                       *      (“GBS”); Death;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                    *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                    *
                                       *
                     Respondent.       *
                                       *
****************************
Edward Ira Zwilling, Schwartz, Zweben & Slingbaum, LLP, Birmingham, AL, for
petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On August 26, 2016, petitioner 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 the decedent, David J. Dern, suffered Guillain-
Barre syndrome (“GBS”) and died as a result of his GBS following receipt of his
February 10, 2016 influenza vaccination Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 8, 2017,
at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that there has been no prior award or settlement of a
civil action for damages as a result of Mr. Dern’s alleged vaccine-related injury or death.
Petition at 4; Stipulation at ¶ 5. “Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused
Mr. Dern’s alleged injury and death, or any other injury. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
        Nevertheless, on March 8, 2017, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.

        The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $325,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
        Vickie L. Dern, as Personal Representative of the estate of David J. Dern.
        Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
        damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.

       The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          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
__________________________________________
                                              )
VICKIE L. DERN, Personal Representative       )
of the Estate of DAVID J. DERN, deceased,     )
                                              )
                      Petitioner,             )
                                              )   No. 16-1066V (ECF)
v.                                            )   Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                              )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                           )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           )
                                              )
                      Respondent.             )
__________________________________________)

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.      Vickie L. Dern (“petitioner”), as Personal Representative of the estate of David J.

Dern (“Mr. Dern”), 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 Mr. Dern’s death following receipt of an influenza vaccine, which

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

       2.      Mr. Dern received an influenza vaccine on February 10, 2016.

       3.      The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.      Petitioner alleges that Mr. Dern subsequently developed Guillain-Barré syndrome

(“GBS”), and later died as a result of his GBS. Petitioner alleges that Mr. Dern’s GBS and death

were caused by his receipt of the influenza vaccine.

       5.      Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil

action for damages as a result of Mr. Dern’s alleged vaccine-related injury or death.
       6.      Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused Mr. Dern’s alleged injury

and death, 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 payment:

               A lump sum of $325,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
               petitioner, Vickie L. Dern, as Personal Representative of the estate
               of David J. Dern. 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-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 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.

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        11.     Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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.     Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of

judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as Personal Representative of Mr. Dern’s estate

under the laws of the State of Alabama. No payment pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made

until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her appointment as

Personal Representative of Mr. Dern’s estate. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of

competent jurisdiction to serve as Personal Representative of the estate of David J. Dern at the

time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to the

party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as Personal

Representative of the estate of David J. Dern upon submission of written documentation of such

appointment to the Secretary.

        13.     In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her

individual capacity and as Personal Representative of the estate of Mr. Dern, and on behalf of the

estate’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and

unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the Secretary of Health and Human Services and

the United States of America 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, Mr. Dern resulting from, or alleged to

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have resulted from, the influenza vaccine administered on February 10, 2016, as alleged by

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 26, 2016, in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-1066V.

        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.

        15.    This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability

and damages claimed under the National 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.

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

America or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that Mr. Dern’s alleged injury and

death, or any other injury, were caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccine.

        17.    All rights and obligations of petitioners hereunder shall apply equally to

petitioner’s heirs, successors and/or assigns, as Personal Representative of the estate of Mr.

Dern.

                                     END OF STIPULATION

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