Court Opinion

ID: 3170699
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-20 14:02:02.895304+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:00:45.310496
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-0442V
                                   Filed: November 18, 2015
                                          Unpublished

****************************
JOHN DAUKSTS,              *
                           *
              Petitioner,  *                               Joint Stipulation on Damages;
                           *                               Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
                           *                               Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *                               Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
              Respondent.  *
                           *
****************************

Tara C. O’Mahoney, Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL,
       for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On May 1, 2015, John Dauksts (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-
Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on
November 6, 2013. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed Nov. 18, 2015, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner
further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of GBS for more than six
months. Petition at 9-10; Stipulation, ¶¶ 4. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner’s GBS or any other injury, and denies that his current disabilities are
sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Stipulation, ¶ 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended
at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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.
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).
       Nevertheless, on November 18, 2015, 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 stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
        Stipulation, ¶ 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.
                 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                )
JOHN DAUKSTS,                                   )
                                                )
                     Petitioner,                )      No. 15-442V      ECF
                                                )
                v.                              )       Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                                )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                             )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                             )
                                                )
     Respondent.                                )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-                                 )
                                           STIPULATION

        The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1.   Petitioner, John Dauksts, 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 (" flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42

C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

        2.   On November 6, 2013, petitioner received the flu vaccine.

       3.    The flu vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.    Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, he suffered from

Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS"), and that he experienced symptoms of this injury for more

than six months.

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

for damages as a result of his alleged injuries.
        6.    Respondent denies that the flu vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated

petitioner's alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that petitioner ' s current disabilities

are the result of a vaccine-related 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-2 1(a)(l), 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 bas filed both a proper and timely election to recei ve compensation pursuant to

42 U .S.C. Section 300aa-21(a)(l), 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 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.

                                                   2
        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-l 5(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, 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, 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 flu vaccine administered on November 6, 2013, as alleged by

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about May 1, 2015 , in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 15-442V.

        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.

        15.   If the special master fai ls 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

                                                   3
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 received by petitioner either caused or

significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injuries or any other injury.

        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,

PETITIONER;

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                     AUTHORIZEI> REPRESENTATIV~
PETITIONER:                                OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

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