Jones v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims·Decided July 29, 2021·No. 19-1466·Unpublished

Opinion

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1466V

(not to be published) Hk ok Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok oe ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok * MARY ANN JONES, : * Filed: June 16, 2021 Petitioner, * * * V. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Guillain-Barré SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND : syndrome (“GBS”). HUMAN SERVICES, e * Respondent. * * *

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Diane Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner Laurie Wiesner, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On September 24, 2019, Mary Ann Jones (“Petitioner”) filed a petition, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program’).” Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 4, 2017. See Stipulation J 2, 4, dated June 16, 2021 (ECF No. 34); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that petitioner sustained GBS as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table;

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the Decision in its present form will be available. Jd.

* The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10-34 (2012)) (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa. denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” See Stipulation { 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed June 16, 2021 that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation

is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth therein.

The stipulation awards: a lump sum of $150,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner.

Stipulation { 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment herewith.?

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Katherine E. Oler Katherine E. Oler Special Master

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice renouncing their right to seek review. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

MARY ANN JONES,

Petitioner, No. 19-1466V

Special Master Oler

v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Mary Ann Jones (“petitioner”) 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 an injury allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the ““Table”), 42

C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. On October 4, 2017, petitioner received a flu vaccine. 3. The vaccine was administered in the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) within the

time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.

5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged condition.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained GBS as defined in the Vaccine Injury

lof 5 Table; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae 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 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)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue a lump sum of $150,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This lump sum 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)(1) 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.

10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

11.

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Related

§ 300aa
42 U.S.C. § 300aa
§ 300aa-1
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-1
§ 300aa-10
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10
§ 300aa-10-34
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10-34
§ 300aa-12
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B)
§ 300aa-15
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)
§ 300aa-21
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1)
Purposes
44 U.S.C. § 3501
§ 300a
42 U.S.C. § 300a