Byrd v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1655V UNPUBLISHED

JANICE BYRD, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: May 27, 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.

David John Carney, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner.

Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On October 25, 2019, Janice Byrd 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 she suffered the “table injury” of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of her October 27, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On January 25, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On May 24, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $198,748.71 ($180,000.00 for pain and suffering; and $18,748.71 for unreimbursed expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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). 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 a lump sum payment of $198,748.71 ($180,000.00 for pain and suffering and $18,748.71 for unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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

JANICE BYRD,

Petitioner, No. 19-1655V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On October 25, 2019, Janice Byrd (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under

the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act”

or “Act”), alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the Vaccine

Injury Table, following administration of an influenza vaccine she received on October 27, 2016.

Petition at ¶ 1. On January 22, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services

(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation

under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury, and on January 25, 2021, the Chief Special

Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 32,

33.

I. Items of Compensation

Based upon the evidence, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump

sum of $198,748.71 ($180,000.00 for pain and suffering; and $18,748.71 for unreimbursed

expenses). This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award

Respondent recommends that compensation be awarded to petitioner in the amount of

$198,748.71, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

Respectfully submitted,

BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

/s/ Lauren Kells LAUREN KELLS 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) 616-4187 Email: Lauren.Kells@usdoj.gov

DATED: May 24, 2021