Court Opinion

ID: 4270454
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-26 20:04:37.547852+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:52.190771
License: Public Domain

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

******************** *
DAVID HELTON,             *
                          *                        No. 15-1105V
              Petitioner, *                        Special Master Christian J. Moran
                          *
v.                        *                        Filed: March 30, 2018
                          *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH       *                        Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,       *                        Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
                          *
                          *
              Respondent. *
******************** *

Randal G. Mathis, Mathis, Donheiser & Jeter, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner;
Darryl R. Wishard, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

                             UNPUBLISHED DECISION1

       On March 29, 2018, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by David Helton on October 1, 2015. Petitioner
alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 3, 2012, which is
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused
him to suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome. 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.

       1
         The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 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.
       Respondent denies that the vaccines either caused or significantly
aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that
petitioner's current disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury.

      Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. 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 lump sum payment of $414,726.93 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).

       In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 15-1105V according to this decision
and the attached stipulation.2

       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.

                                                2
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
                                      )
DAVID HELTON,                         )
                                      )
               Petitioner,            )    No. 15-1105V ECF
                                      )
            v.                        )    Special Master Moran
                                      )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   )
                                      )
              Respondent.             )
___________________________________ )

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.    Petitioner, David Helton, 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 October 3, 2012, petitioner received the flu vaccine.

       3.    The 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.

                                                   1
       6.    Respondent denies that the flu vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated

petitioner’s alleged injury 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-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

                A lump sum of $414,726.93, 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. Section 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 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.

                                                   2
§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

       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, 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 October 3, 2012, as alleged by

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

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 15-1105V.

       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.

                                                  3
       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 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.

       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 injury 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 FO                      AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                                OF TBE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

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RANDAL MATHIS
                                            ~
                                           CATH
                                                               2-----
                                                     INE E. REEVES
Mathis & Donheiser, P.C.                   HeJ)UlY Director
1412 Main Street. Suite 2600               Torts Branch
Dallas, TX 7S202                           Civil Division
(214) 303-1919                             U.S. Department ofJustice
                                           P.O. Box 146
                                           Benjamin Franklin Station
                                           Washington, DC 20044-0146

                                           ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
                                              SPONDENT:

NARAYAN A , .D                             bARRYL R. WISHARD
Director, Division oflnjury                Senior Trial Attorney
 Compensation Programs                     Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                  Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health                  U.S. Department ofJustice
 and Human Services                        P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane                          Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B       Washington, DC20044-0J46
Rockville, MD 20857                        Tel: (202) 616-4357

                                       s