Court Opinion

ID: 4709781
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-08-06 20:05:28.346741+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:59.344553
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-0062V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    JEFFREY POLASKE, as Administrator                           Chief Special Master Corcoran
    of the Succession of LEAH JEANENE
    POLASKE,                                                    Filed: July 6, 2021

                         Petitioner,                            Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    v.                                                          Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
                                                                (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Syndrome (GBS)
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                         Respondent.

Howard Scott Gold, The Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for Petitioner.

Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

      On January 15, 2019, Leah Polaske, now deceased, filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C.
§300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). On August 29, 2019, I ordered the caption
amended to substitute the administrator of her estate, Jeffrey Polaske, as Petitioner. ECF
No. 25. Petitioner alleges that Leah Polaske suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
which meets the definition for Table GBS and was caused-in-fact by the influenza (“flu”)
vaccine she received on January 18, 2017. Petition at 1 ¶¶ 2, 11; Stipulation, filed at July
6, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Polaske to
develop GBS, or any other injury or condition, or her death.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
      Nevertheless, on July 6, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating
that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

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

    1. A lump sum payment of $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
       Petitioner as the legal representative of the estate of Leah Jeanene Polaske.

    2. A lump sum payment of $123,721.57, representing compensation for
       satisfaction of the Medicaid lien, for vaccine-related services rendered on
       behalf of Ms. Polaske, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner
       and:

                                     The Rawlings Company
                                      ATTN: Joshua T. Piper,
                                    Reference No. 105059713,
                                          P.O. Box 2000
                                    La Grange, KY 40031-2000.

Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to The Rawlings Company. 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.

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

JEFFREY POLASKE, as Administrator of the
Succession of LEAH JEANENE PO LASKE,
                                                        No. 19-62V
               Petitioner,                              Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                        ECF
V.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

               Respondent.

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1. Leah Jeanene Polaske ("Ms. Polaske") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under

the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (the "Vaccine

Program"). 1 The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to Ms. Polaske's

receipt of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table

(the ''Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2. Ms. Polaske received the flu vaccine on January 18, 2017.

       3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that Ms. Polaske sustained the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

(GBS) within the Table time period after receiving the flu vaccine, and in the alternative, alleges

that the flu vaccine actually caused her alleged GBS.

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

1Ms. Polaske died on January 31, 2019, and by order dated August 29, 2019, Jeffrey Polaske
("petitioner"), was substituted as petitioner.
for damages on Ms. Polaske's behalf as a result of Ms. Polaske's alleged injury or her death.

        6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Polaske to develop GBS, or any

other injury or condition, or her death.

        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 l (a)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payments:

            a. A lump sum of$ $125,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner as
               legal representative of the estate of Leah Jeanene Polaske; and

            b. A lump sum of $123,721.57, which amount represents reimbursement for a
               Medicaid lien for alleged vaccine injury-related services rendered on behalf ofMs.
               Polaske, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and The Rawlings
               Company, ATTN: Joshua T. Piper, Reference No.: 105059713, PO Box 2000, La
               Grange, KY 40031-2000.

                Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to The Rawlings Company.

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a) for injuries related to Ms. Po!aske's receipt of the flu vaccine.

        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)(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.

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        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.

§ 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. Petitioner represents that he presently is, or within 90 days of the date of judgment

will become, duly authorized to serve as the legal representative of Ms. Polaske's estate under

the laws of the State of Louisana. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until

petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing his appointment as legal

representative of Ms. Polaske's estate. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent

jurisdiction to serve as legal representative of the estate of Ms. Polaske at the time a payment

pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to the party or pa1ties

appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as legal representative of the estate of Ms.

Polaske 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 his

individual capacity, and as legal representative of the estate of Leah Polaske, on his own behalf,

and on behalf of Ms. Polaske's heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does

forever inevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the

Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including

                                                    3
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 !mown or

unlmown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of Ms. Polaske resuhing from,

or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on January 18, 2017, as alleged

by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 15, 2019, in the

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-62V.

        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 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

pa1iies 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 descnbed 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 items of compensation sought, is not

grounds to modify or revise this agreement.

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

Secretar; of Health and Human Services that Ms. Polaske sustained a OBS Table injury or that

the flu vaccine caused Ms. Polaske to develop OBS, or any other injury, or caused her death.

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        17. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representative of Leah

 Polaske.

                                     END OF STIPULATION

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     Respectfully submitted,

     PETITIONER:

                                               AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
                                               OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                               , .J)--e ~\Ll?e~
                                               HEATl-IER L. PEARLMAN
     Counsel for Petitioner                    A:eting Deputy Director
     Gold Law Firm                             Torts Branch, Civil Division
     83 Walnut Street, Suite 150               U.S. Department of Justice
     Wellesley Hills, MA 02481                 P.O. Box 146
                                               Benjamin Franklin Station
                                               Washington, DC 20044-0146

     AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
     OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALm                 RESPONDENT:
     AND HUMAN SERVICES:

pat,_~, z::yv.s'c-, 7?1S, A/J,&/,
     TAMARA OVERBY
                                           r   ~C\       ~~
                                               ALEXA ROGGENKAMP
     Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
                                                                              ,,-
      Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch, Civil Division
     Healthcare Systems Bureau                 U.S. Department of Justice
     Health Resources and Services             P,O. Box 146
      Adminic;tration                          Benjamin Franklin Station
     U.S. Department of Health                 Washington, DC 20044-0146
       and Human Services                      202-616-4179
     5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B                alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov
     Rockville, MD 20857

     Da~d:   oJ/a, fro,z I

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