VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00509
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00509
Petitioner: Steven Houck
Filed: 2011-08-09
Decided: 2015-01-05
Vaccine: Hepatitis B
Vaccination date: 2010-11-08
Condition: polyneuropathy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 52000

AI-assisted case summary:
Steven Houck filed a petition on August 9, 2011, alleging that a Hepatitis B vaccine administered on November 8, 2010, caused him to suffer from an autoimmune reaction and/or post-vaccine polyneuropathy. The respondent denied that Mr. Houck had polyneuropathy and denied that the Hepatitis B vaccine caused his alleged condition or any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 15, 2014, agreeing to resolve the case through a stipulated award. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman found the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Under the terms of the stipulation, Mr. Houck was awarded a lump sum of $52,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. Petitioner counsel was Ronald Homer of Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., and respondent counsel was Ryan Pyles of the United States Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Steven Houck alleged that a Hepatitis B vaccine administered on November 8, 2010, caused an autoimmune reaction and/or post-vaccine polyneuropathy. The respondent denied the existence of polyneuropathy and denied that the vaccine caused any injury. The parties resolved the matter via joint stipulation on December 15, 2014. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner $52,000.00 as compensation for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or clinical evidence presented. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Homer, and Respondent by Ryan Pyles.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00509-0
Date issued/filed: 2015-01-05
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/15/2014) regarding 82 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (mb) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:11-vv-00509-UNJ Document 86 Filed 01/05/15 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 11-509V
Filed: December 15, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
STEPHEN HOUCK, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Hepatitis B (“Hep B”) Vaccine;
* Polyneuropathy.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Ryan Pyles, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
DECISION1
On August 9, 2011, Steven Houck (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged
that he was administered a Hepatitis B (“Hep B”) vaccine on November 8, 2010, and that the
vaccine caused him to suffer from “an autoimmune reaction and/or post-vaccine
polyneuropathy.” Petition at 1.
On December 15, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by
Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 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).
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:11-vv-00509-UNJ Document 86 Filed 01/05/15 Page 2 of 7
should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that Petitioner has a
polyneuropathy, and denies that the Hep B vaccine is the cause of Petitioner’s alleged
polyneuropathy and/or any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as
the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $52,000.00, 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).
Stipulation ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

CCaassee 11::1111--vvvv--0000550099--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 8816 FFiilleedd 1021//1055//1145 PPaaggee 13 ooff 57

CCaassee 11::1111--vvvv--0000550099--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 8816 FFiilleedd 1021//1055//1145 PPaaggee 24 ooff 57

CCaassee 11::1111--vvvv--0000550099--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 8816 FFiilleedd 1021//1055//1145 PPaaggee 35 ooff 57

CCaassee 11::1111--vvvv--0000550099--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 8816 FFiilleedd 1021//1055//1145 PPaaggee 46 ooff 57

CCaassee 11::1111--vvvv--0000550099--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 8816 FFiilleedd 1021//1055//1145 PPaaggee 57 ooff 57