Court Opinion

ID: 4911487
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-16 16:04:30.448363+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:32.481781
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 18-722V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    GERALD JANSEN,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: August 16, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                                Barre Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.

Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On May 22, 2018, Gerald Jansen 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) after
receiving the influenza (flu) vaccination on October 12, 2016. Petition at ¶¶ 1. Petitioner
further alleges that he received the flu vaccination in the United States, he suffered from
the residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that he has never received
any compensation in the form of award or settlement for his vaccine-related injuries.
Petition at 1, 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

     On April 29, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for GBS. On August 9, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.

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).
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded all items of
compensation set forth in the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A.
Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the
proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to
an award as stated in the Proffer. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented
that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find
that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner the
following compensation:

     1. A lump sum payment of $914,085.55, representing compensation for life
        care expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment
        ($110,928.04), pain and suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable
        expenses ($553,157.51), in the form of a check payable to Petitioner,
        Gerald Jansen.

     2. 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, as illustrated by the chart at Tab
        A, beginning with compensation for Year Two (on the first anniversary of
        the date of the judgment) and all subsequent years, paid to the life
        insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased.

      This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 15(a).

       The clerk of the 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                   )
GERALD JANSEN,                                     )
                                                   )
               Petitioner,                         )
                                                   )    No. 18-722V
v.                                                 )    Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
                                                   )    ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                      )
SERVICES,                                          )
                                                   )
               Respondent.                         )
                                                   )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On April 26, 2019, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report, in which he recommended that

the Court find petitioner entitled to compensation, and on April 29, 2019, the Court entered its

Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. See ECF Nos. 22, 23.

Specifically, based on respondent’s recommendation, the Court found petitioner entitled to

compensation for Guillain-Barré syndrome and related sequelae that he sustained following the

administration of an influenza vaccination on October 12, 2016, and that petitioner’s claim

satisfies the requirements necessary to qualify as a Table injury under the Vaccine Injury Table.

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14(a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15). See ECF No. 23. Respondent now proffers that

petitioner receive an award as follows:

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Life Care Items

       Respondent engaged life care planner Laura Fox, MSN, BSN, RN, and petitioner

engaged life care planner Roberta Hurley, 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 respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report. 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 Gerald Jansen, attached hereto as Tab A. Respondent proffers that petitioner

should be awarded all items of compensation set forth in the life care plan and illustrated by the

chart attached at Tab A. Petitioner agrees.

       B.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $250,000.00 in actual pain and

suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

       C.      Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents his expenditure of past unreimbursable

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

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $553,157.51. Petitioner agrees.

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:1

       A. A lump sum payment of $914,085.55, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($110,928.04), pain and

suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($553,157.51) in the form of a check

payable to petitioner, Gerald Jansen.

       B. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract,2 subject to the conditions

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

       1
         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.

                                                 2
as illustrated by the chart at Tab A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company3 from

which the annuity will be purchased.4 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,

Gerald Jansen, only so long as petitioner 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 monthly,

quarterly, annual, or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in the chart at Tab 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 life care

items. Thus, the benefits illustrated in the chart at Tab A that are to be paid through annuity

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

       2
         In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts
from one or more life insurance companies.
       3
          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.
       4
         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
judgment for all items, 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, Gerald Jansen, 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 Gerald Jansen’s death.

       3.      Guardianship

       Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment5

       A.      Lump Sum paid to petitioner, Gerald Jansen:                         $914,085.55

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

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                             Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                             Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

5 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

                                                4
                        s/ RYAN D. PYLES
                        RYAN D. PYLES
                        Senior Trial Attorney
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division
                        U.S. Department of Justice
                        P.O. Box 146
                        Benjamin Franklin Station
                        Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                        Tel: (202) 616-9847
                        ryan.pyles@usdoj.gov

DATED: August 9, 2021

                          5
                                                                                                          Tab A to Proffer
                                       Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Gerald Jansen                               Page 1 of 1

                                                      Lump Sum
                                                     Compensation Compensation Compensation Compensation
  ITEMS OF COMPENSATION              G.R   *    M       Year 1      Years 2-5    Year 6      Years 7-Life
                                                         2021      2022-2025      2026        2027-Life
PCP                                  4%     *
Podiatrist                           4%     *
Neurologist                          4%     *
Psychiatry                           4%     *
Cigna Medicare Rx                    4%         M         1,069.48         1,069.48         1,069.48        1,069.48
Antimicrobial Gel                    4%                     190.44           190.44           190.44          190.44
Skin Protectant Paste                4%                      95.94            95.94            95.94           95.94
Antifungal Powder                    4%                      70.14            70.14            70.14           70.14
Dulcolax Suppositories               4%                      68.92            68.92            68.92           68.92
Power Standing Wheelchair            4%     *
Shower Chair Commode                 4%                     300.89            60.18            60.18           60.18
Ankle Boot                           4%     *
Foot Brace                           4%     *
Leather Golf Glove                   4%                      17.95            17.95            17.95           17.95
Hoyer Lift                           4%     *
Lift Sling                           4%     *               284.00           284.00           284.00          284.00
Mesh Sling                           4%     *               290.00           290.00           290.00          290.00
Adaptive Clothing                    4%                     150.00           150.00           150.00          150.00
WC Comm Device Holder                4%                     120.00            24.00            24.00           24.00
Head Pointer                         4%                     139.00            27.80            27.80           27.80
Foam Wedge                           4%                      45.99            23.00            23.00           23.00
Compression Gloves                   4%                      19.98             9.99             9.99            9.99
Bed Pads                             4%                     132.79           132.79           132.79          132.79
Dude Wipes                           4%                      23.84            23.84            23.84           23.84
Gloves                               4%                      78.40            78.40            78.40           78.40
Urinal                               4%                      95.28            95.28            95.28           95.28
Nebulizer                            4%     *
Nebulizer Masks                      4%     *
OT/ PT                               4%     *
Home Care                            4%         M       105,040.00      105,040.00       105,040.00       105,040.00
Modified Van                         4%                                                   44,916.00
Stair Lift                           4%                   2,695.00
Pain and Suffering                                      250,000.00
Past Unreimbursable Expenses                            553,157.51
Annual Totals                                           914,085.55      107,752.15       152,668.15       107,752.15
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 ($110,928.04), pain and suffering ($250,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($553,157.51): 914,085.55.
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.