Harrell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

CourtUnited States Court of Federal Claims
DecidedSeptember 16, 2024
Docket22-0635V
StatusPublished

This text of Harrell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services (Harrell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Court of Federal Claims primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Harrell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, (uscfc 2024).

Opinion

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

************************* JACQUESE F. HARRELL, * No. 22-635V * Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran * v. * * Filed: August 20, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************* Scott B. Taylor, Urban & Taylor, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner; Alexis B. Babcock, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1

On August 19, 2024, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Jacquese F. Harrell on June 8, 2022. Petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine he received on October 22, 2020, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused him to suffer from Bell’s palsy and a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disorder. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 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.

Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from Bell’s palsy or a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disorder; denies that the vaccine

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), the parties have 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Any changes will appear in the document posted on the website. caused petitioner’s alleged injuries, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

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 of $22,000.00 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).

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment 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

) JACQUESE F. HARRELL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 22-635V v. ) Special Master Moran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ________________.) STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Jacquese F. Harrell, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

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

Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt

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

"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about October 22, 2020.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Bell's palsy and a central nervous system

inflammatory demyelinating disorder as a result of the vaccination. He further alleges that he

experienced the residual effects of these conditions for more than siix months.

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

for damages on his behalf as a result of his conditions.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from Bell's palsy or a central nervous

1 system inflammatory demyelinating disorder; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged

injuries, or any other injury; and denies that petition,e r's current condition is a sequela of a

vaccine-related 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 tmtered 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $22,000.00 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 ori entitlement in this case, and after

petitioner has filed .both aproper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit: to further proceedings before

the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs inc.urred in proceeding upon this

petition.

l O. 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.

2 11. Payment ma:de 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-

l 5(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

12.

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Related

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

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