VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00965
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00965
Petitioner: A.W.
Filed: 2013-12-06
Decided: 2016-04-04
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2010-10-11
Condition: narcolepsy and cataplexy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 49226

AI-assisted case summary:
On December 6, 2013, Lawr-Alea Walton filed a petition on behalf of her minor child, A.W., alleging that A.W. developed narcolepsy and cataplexy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 11, 2010. The petition further alleged that A.W. experienced residual effects of the injury for more than six months. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused A.W.'s conditions but agreed to a joint stipulation for damages. The parties filed this stipulation on March 4, 2016. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation awarded A.W. a total of $49,226.96, plus an amount to purchase an annuity. The lump sum of $46,226.96 was payable to petitioner as guardian/conservator of A.W.'s estate and included $8,729.96 for first-year life care expenses and $37,500.00 for pain and suffering. An additional lump sum of $3,000.00 was payable to petitioner, Lawr-Alea Walton, for past unreimbursable expenses. The case was resolved via this joint stipulation, and judgment was entered accordingly. Petitioner's counsel was Karl J. Protil, Jr. of Shulman, Rogers, et al. Respondent's counsel was Michael P. Milmoe of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Lawr-Alea Walton filed on behalf of minor A.W., alleging narcolepsy and cataplexy resulting from an influenza vaccine administered on October 11, 2010. The petition alleged residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for damages, approved by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen on April 4, 2016. The stipulation awarded $46,226.96 for first-year life care expenses and pain and suffering, $3,000.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and an additional amount for an annuity. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00965-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-04-04
Pages: 10
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/08/2016) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:13-vv-00965-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/04/16 Page 1 of 10
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-965V
Filed: March 8 2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
LAWR-ALEA WALTON, on behalf of *
A.W., a minor, *
*
Petitioner, * Special Master Gowen
*
v. * Joint Stipulation on Damages;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Narcolepsy; Cataplexy
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Karl J. Protil, Jr., Shulman, Rogers, et al., Potomac, MD, for petitioner.
Michael P. Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On December 6, 2013, Lawr-Alea Walton (“petitioner”) filed a petition on behalf of
A.W., a minor, pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§
300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that, as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccination on October 11, 2010, A.W. developed narcolepsy and cataplexy. Petition at
Preamble. Further, petitioner alleged that A.W. experienced residual effects of the injury for
more than six months. Id. at ¶ 17.
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, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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 (2012) (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-00965-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/04/16 Page 2 of 10
On March 4, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should
be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused A.W. to
suffer narcolepsy and cataplexy or any other injury or her current condition. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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 in compensation:
(1) A lump sum of $46,226.96, in the form of a check payable to petitioner as
guardian/conservator of the estate of A.W. for the benefit of A.W. This amount
represents compensation for first year life care expenses ($8,729.96), and pain and
suffering ($37,500.00).
(2) A lump sum of $3,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Lawr-Alea
Walton. This amount represents compensation for past unreimbursable expenses.
(3) An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of
the stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be
purchased.
Id. at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, the clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms
of the parties’ stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Thomas L. Gowen
Thomas L. Gowen
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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