VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00114 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00114 Petitioner: Lisa Kelley Filed: 2013-02-12 Decided: 2014-11-21 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2011-10-11 Condition: Transverse Myelitis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 10000 AI-assisted case summary: Lisa Kelley filed a petition on February 12, 2013, alleging that an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 11, 2011 caused her to develop Transverse Myelitis (TM) and that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denied that petitioner's TM was caused by her influenza vaccination and denied that the vaccine caused any other injury or her current condition. Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a stipulation filed October 30, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. In the same decision, Special Master Corcoran awarded both compensation and attorneys' fees. Petitioner received a lump sum of $10,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Attorneys' fees and costs of $21,500.00 were awarded under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e), payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Danielle Strait of Maglio, Christopher and Toale. Petitioner had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses. Theory of causation field: Flu Oct 11, 2011 → Transverse Myelitis (TM). Stipulation Oct 30, 2014; SM Corcoran (combined damages+fees decision). Comp $10,000. Fees $21,500 (Strait, Maglio Christopher and Toale, Washington DC). Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00114-0 Date issued/filed: 2014-11-21 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/30/2014) regarding 42 DECISION of Special Master ( Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 13-114V (Not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LISA KELLEY, * Filed: October 30, 2014 * Petitioner, * * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Transverse Myelitis (“TM”) HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher and Toale, Washington, D.C., for Petitioner. Alexis Babcock, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 On February 12, 2013, Lisa Kelley filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that as a result of receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 11, 2011 she suffered from Transverse Myelitis (“TM”) and that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that Petitioner’s TM was caused-in-fact by her influenza vaccination, and denies that the vaccine caused any other injury or her current condition. Nonetheless both 1 Because this ruling contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, it will be posted 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 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. To do so, Vaccine Rule 18(b) provides that 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). Otherwise, the ruling will be available to the public. Id. 2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises 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.A. ' 300aa-10 – 34 (2006)) [hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”]. Individual sections references hereafter will be to ' 300aa of the Act. Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 2 of 7 parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation (filed October 30, 2014) that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation. In the same stipulation, the parties indicated that they had also reached an agreement regarding attorneys’ fees and costs. The stipulation laid out the amount of compensation that should be awarded to Petitioner’s attorney in a check made payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel. In compliance with General Order #9, it also indicated that no out-of-pocket litigation related costs had been incurred by Petitioner in proceeding on the petition. 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, and attorneys’ fees and costs, on the terms set forth therein. The stipulation awards:  A lump sum of $10,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. The amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).  A lump sum of $21,500.00 in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s attorney, for attorneys’ fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). Stipulation ¶ 8. I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts 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.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. /s/ Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately) a notice renouncing their right to seek review. 2 Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00114-UNJ Document 46 Filed 11/21/14 Page 7 of 7