Evans v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims·Decided August 22, 2017·No. 16-240·Unpublished

Opinion

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

********************* JOHNNIE EVANS, JR., * as the legal Representative * No. 16-240V of the Estate of * Special Master Christian J. Moran JOHNNIE EVANS, SR., deceased, * * Petitioners, * v. * Filed: July 28, 2017 * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”); * death Respondent. * *********************

Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner; Adriana R. Teitel, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION1

On July 21, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Johnnie Evans, Jr., on February 18, 2016. In his petition, petitioner alleged that his father, Johnnie Evans, Sr., received the influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (42 C.F.R. §100.3(a)), on October 10, 2014, and the flu vaccine caused his father to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome and ultimately lead to his father’s death on February 10, 2015. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his father’s behalf as a result of his father’s condition or death.

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 father’s alleged injury, any other injury, or his death.

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 $310,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner as the legal representative of the estate of Johnnie Evans, Sr. 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 16-240V 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

JOHNNIE EVANS, Jr., as Legal Representative of the Estate of JOHNNIE EVANS, Sr., deceased,

Petitioner, No. 16-240V Special Master Moran v. ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Johnnie Evans, Jr., ("petitioner"), as the Legal Representative of the Estate of Johnn ie

Evans, Sr. ("JES"), deceased, 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 and death allegedly related to JES's receipt of an

influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine fojury Table (the "Table"),

42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a).

2. JES received the flu vaccine on October 10, 20 14.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, JES suffered Ouillain-

Barre Syndrome ("OBS"). JES passed away on February 10, 20 15. Petitioner further alleges

that JES's death was the sequela of his alleged vaccine-related injury.

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

for damages on behalf of JES as a result of his alleged condition or death.

6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused JES's alleged GBS, any other injury, or

his death.

7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the patties 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)( l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services wi ll issue

the fo llowing vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $3 10,000.00 the form of a check payable to petitioner as legal representative of the Estate of Johnnie Evans, Sr. This amo unt represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- l 5(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. § 300aa-2 l(a)( I), and an application, the pa1ties will submit to further proceedings before

the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this

petition.

I 0. Petitioner and his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent nll known

sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42

U.S.C. § 300aa- l 5(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies; Federal or

Stute health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. ~ 1396

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

2 of5 11 . Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded

pursuant to paragraph 9, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the

availabil ity of sufficient statutory funds.

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

wi ll become, duly authorized to serve as legal representative of the Estate of Johnn ie Evans, Sr.,

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

petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing his appointment as legal

representative of the Estate of Johnnie Evans, Sr. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of

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Related

§ 300aa-
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
§ 300aa-10
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10
§ 300aa-12
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)
§ 300aa-15
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)
§ 300aa-2
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2
§ 300aa-21
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(l)
Purposes
44 U.S.C. § 3501
§ 300a
42 U.S.C. § 300a