In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-2078V
TIMOTHY GARRETT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 30, 2024 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Diana L. Stadelnikas, Mctlaw, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Benjamin P. Warder, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On October 26, 2021, Timothy Garrett 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 20, 2018. Petition at 1 Stipulation, filed at December 30, 2024, ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that there has been no prior award of settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Stipulation at ¶ 5. “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or any other injury ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on December 30, 2024, 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.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation:
A lump sum of $200,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of 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
) TIMOTHY GARRETT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21 -2078V (ECF) V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Timothy Garrett, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to -34 ("Vaccine
Program"). 1 The petition, as amended, seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to
petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine
Injury Table ("Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination on November 20, 2018.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, he developed Guillain-
Barre syndrome ("GBS").
5. 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 After filing his initial petition for vaccine compensation on October 26, 2021, petitioner subsequently filed an amended petition on March 6, 2023. 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or any
other 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 ofjudgment 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $200,000.00 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. § 300aa-21(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before
the special master to award reasonable attorney 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 oftbe Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 1396, et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
2 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 attorney fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-2078V
TIMOTHY GARRETT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 30, 2024 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Diana L. Stadelnikas, Mctlaw, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Benjamin P. Warder, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On October 26, 2021, Timothy Garrett 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-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 20, 2018. Petition at 1 Stipulation, filed at December 30, 2024, ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that there has been no prior award of settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Stipulation at ¶ 5. “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or any other injury ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on December 30, 2024, 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.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation:
A lump sum of $200,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of 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
) TIMOTHY GARRETT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21 -2078V (ECF) V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Timothy Garrett, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to -34 ("Vaccine
Program"). 1 The petition, as amended, seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to
petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine
Injury Table ("Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination on November 20, 2018.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, he developed Guillain-
Barre syndrome ("GBS").
5. 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 After filing his initial petition for vaccine compensation on October 26, 2021, petitioner subsequently filed an amended petition on March 6, 2023. 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or any
other 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 ofjudgment 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $200,000.00 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. § 300aa-21(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before
the special master to award reasonable attorney 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 oftbe Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 1396, et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
2 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 attorney fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, 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-l 5(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 or about November 20, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on October 26, 2021, and in an
amended petition filed on March 6, 2023, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as
petition No. 2 l-2078V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofjudgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
3 15. If the Chief Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the
tenns ohhis Stipulation, or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity
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 caused petitioner's alleged GBS 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
I
I I I I I I I I
4 Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
TIMOTHY GARRETT
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
mctlaw ~A ~l½i~ Deputy Director 1515 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 700 Torts Branch Sarasota, FL 34236 Civil Division (888) 952-5242 U.S. Department of Justice dstadelnikas@mctlaw.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Digitally signed by Jeffrey 5. Jeffrey S. Beach -S
~ ~~ Date: 2024.11.07 Beach-S _ -Q9~·l~Z·~30~--as~·a-a•_ __,__., ro~r_ CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH BENAMiNP.WARDER Director, Division oflnjury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 532-5464 Rockville, MD 20857 Benjamin.P.Warder@usdoj.gov
Dated: I z/30/zoz '-/ 5