VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00492
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00492
Petitioner: Wendy Lister
Filed: 2013-07-19
Decided: 2015-04-03
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2011-10-12
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 514651

AI-assisted case summary:
Wendy Lister filed a petition on July 19, 2013, alleging that an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 12, 2011 caused her to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury.

Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed December 3, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner received a lump sum of $514,651.20, representing compensation for first-year life care expenses ($129,314.94), lost earnings ($204,214.24), and pain and suffering ($181,122.02), plus an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future life care years. The parties subsequently agreed to attorneys' fees and costs of $66,725.07, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Lawrence R. Cohan of Anapol, Schwartz et al. Petitioner had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses.

Theory of causation field:
Flu Oct 12, 2011 → GBS. Joint stipulation Dec 3, 2014; SM Hamilton-Fieldman. Comp lump sum $514,651.20 (Year 1 life care $129,314.94 + lost earnings $204,214.24 + pain/suffering $181,122.02) + annuity. Fees $66,725.07 (Cohan, Anapol Schwartz et al., Philadelphia PA).

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00492-0
Date issued/filed: 2014-12-29
Pages: 9
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/03/2014) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (dlb) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00492-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/29/14 Page 1 of 9
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-492V
Filed: December 3, 2014
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
WENDY LISTER, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Guillain-
* Barré Syndrome (“GBS”).
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lawrence Cohan, Anapol Schwartz, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.
DECISION1
On July 19, 2013, Wendy Lister (“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 she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine administered to her on October 12, 2011.
On December 3, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision
should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused
Petitioner’s GBS or any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
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 1:13-vv-00492-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/29/14 Page 2 of 9
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 $514,651.20, which amount represents compensation for first year
life care expenses ($129,314.94), lost earnings ($204,214.24), and pain and suffering
($181,122.02), in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Wendy Lister; and
An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of
the attached stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity
will be purchased.
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

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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
)
WENDY LISTER, )
)
Petitioner, )
v. )
) No. 13-492V
SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
AND HUMAN SERVICES ) ECF
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Wendy Lister, 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 injuries allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt of an
influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”),
42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received her influenza immunization on October 12, 2011.
3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of
receiving the influenza vaccine.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS or
any other injury.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the

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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
the following vaccine compensation payments:
a. A lump sum of $514,651.20, which amount represents compensation for first year life
care expenses ($129,314.94), lost earnings ($204,214.24), and pain and suffering
($181,122.02), in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and
b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10
below, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased
(the “Life Insurance Company”).
9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and
surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company
must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:
a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;
b. Moody’s Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;
c. Standard and Poor’s Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-,
AA, AA+, or AAA;
d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating:
AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.
10. The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity contract
from the Life Insurance Company for the benefit of petitioner, Wendy Lister, pursuant to which
the Life Insurance Company will agree to make payments periodically to petitioner as follows:
a. For future unreimbursable Medigap Premium, Medicare Part B Premium, and
medication expenses, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of judgment, an
annual amount of $3,224.68 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of judgment in
year 2019. Thereafter, beginning on the anniversary of the date of judgment in year
2

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2019, an annual amount of $1,965.88 to be paid for the remainder of petitioner’s life, all
amounts increasing at the rate of five percent (5%), compounded annually from the date
of judgment.
b. For future unreimbursable mobility and adaptive equipment expenses, beginning on
the first anniversary of the date of judgment, an annual amount of $500.20 to be paid for
the remainder of petitioner’s life, increasing at the rate of three percent (3%),
compounded annually from the date of judgment.
c. For future unreimbursable attendant care expenses, beginning on the first anniversary
of the date of judgment, an annual amount of $17,850.00 to be paid up to the anniversary
of the date of judgment in year 2019. Thereafter, beginning on the anniversary of the
date of judgment in year 2019, an annual amount of $35,700.00 to be paid for the
remainder of petitioner’s life, all amounts increasing at the rate of three percent (3%),
compounded annually from the date of judgment.
d. For future unreimbursable modified van expenses, beginning on the first anniversary
of the date of judgment, an annual amount of $4,400.00 to be paid for the remainder of
petitioner’s life, increasing at the rate of three percent (3%), compounded annually from
the date of judgment.
At the sole discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the periodic payments set
forth in paragraph 10 above may be provided to petitioner in monthly, quarterly, annual or other
installments. The “annual amounts” set forth above describe only the total yearly sum to be paid
to petitioner and do not require that the payment be made in one annual installment. Petitioner
will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance Company only so long as
she, Wendy Lister, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due. Written notice shall be
provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life Insurance Company within
twenty (20) days of Wendy Lister’s death.
11. The annuity contract will be owned solely and exclusively by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services and will be purchased as soon as practicable following the entry of a
judgment in conformity with this Stipulation. The parties stipulate and agree that the Secretary
of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are not responsible for the
payment of any sums other than the amounts set forth in paragraph 8 herein and the amounts
3

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awarded pursuant to paragraph 12 herein, and that they do not guarantee or insure any of the
future annuity payments. Upon the purchase of the annuity contract, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and the United States of America are released from any and all obligations with
respect to future annuity payments.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 12 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i),
subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
15. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
pursuant to this Stipulation either immediately or as part of the annuity contract, will be used
solely for petitioner’s benefit as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-
15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(g) and (h).
4

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16. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 12, petitioner, in her
individual capacity, and on behalf of her 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 or 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. § 300 aa-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 influenza vaccination administered on October 12,
2011, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 19,
2013, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 13-492V.
17. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
18. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity 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.
19. 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 12 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
5

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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.
20. Petitioner hereby authorizes respondent to disclose documents filed by petitioner in
this case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.
21. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner’s Guillain-
GBS or any other injury.
22. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00492-1
Date issued/filed: 2015-04-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/13/2015) regarding 31 DECISION Fees Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (jb) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00492-UNJ Document 34 Filed 04/03/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-492
Filed: March 13, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
WENDY LISTER, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
v. * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Reasonable Amount
* Requested to which Respondent Does Not
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Object.
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol, Schwartz, et al., Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION1
On July 19, 2013, Wendy Lister (“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 she suffered
from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) and that this injury had been caused by the influenza (“flu”)
received on October 12, 2011. Petition (“Pet”) at 1. On December 3, 2014, the undersigned issued a
decision awarding compensation to Petitioner.
On March 13, 2015, Petitioner filed a Stipulation of Facts Concerning Final Attorneys’ Fees and
Costs. Pursuant to their Stipulation, the parties have agreed to an award of $66,725.07 in attorneys’ fees
and costs. In accordance with General Order Number 9, Petitioner represents that she did not personally
incur any expenses in pursuit of this claim.
The undersigned finds that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a
reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate, pursuant to 42
1 The undersigned intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal
Claims’ website, 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 file a motion for redaction “of any information furnished by
that party (1) that is trade secret or commercial or financial information and is privileged or confidential,
or (2) that are medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” In the absence of such motion, the entire decision will be available to
the public. Id.
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 1:13-vv-00492-UNJ Document 34 Filed 04/03/15 Page 2 of 2
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems reasonable and appropriate.
Accordingly, the undersigned hereby awards the amount of $66,725.07, in the form of a check made
payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Lawrence R. Cohan.
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 D. Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa D. 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