VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00109 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00109 Petitioner: Alexys Hebert Filed: 2014-02-07 Decided: 2021-02-08 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2011-01-13 Condition: transverse myelitis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 349883 AI-assisted case summary: Alexys Hebert filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 7, 2014, alleging she developed transverse myelitis (TM) after receiving an influenza vaccine on January 13, 2011. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged TM or any other injury, and further denied that petitioner's current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the denials, the parties reached a settlement. On January 12, 2021, they filed a joint stipulation outlining the settlement terms. Respondent agreed to issue payments totaling $349,883.35, intended to cover first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses. Additionally, respondent agreed to provide an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future damages, as described in the stipulation. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded compensation on these terms. The decision was filed on February 8, 2021. Petitioner was represented by John Jefcoat, Esq., and respondent was represented by Gabrielle Fielding, Esq. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Alexys Hebert alleged transverse myelitis (TM) following an influenza vaccine on January 13, 2011. Respondent denied causation. The parties settled the case via joint stipulation filed January 12, 2021. The settlement included a lump sum of $349,883.35 for first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses, plus an amount for an annuity contract covering future damages. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation on February 8, 2021. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00109-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-02-08 Pages: 10 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/13/2021) regarding 60 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 1 of 10 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-109V Filed: January 13, 2021 * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALEXYS HEBERT, * UNPUBLISHED * Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation; * Transverse Myelitis (“TM”); v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * John Jefcoat, Esq., Galloway Jefcoat, LLP, Lafayette, LA, for petitioner. Gabrielle Fielding, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Roth, Special Master: On February 7, 2014, Alexys Hebert (“Ms. Hebert” or “petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she developed transverse myelitis (“TM”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on January 13, 2011. Stipulation, filed Jan. 12, 2021, at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged TM, or any other injury, and further denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On January 12, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. 1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107- 347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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 whole Decision will be available to the public. Id. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 2 of 10 Respondent agrees to issue the following payments: 1) A lump sum of $349,883.35 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Alexys Hebert, representing compensation for first-year life care expenses, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses; and 2) An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the attached Stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a). I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Mindy Michaels Roth Mindy Michaels Roth Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 3 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 4 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 5 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 6 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 7 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 8 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 9 of 10 Case 1:14-vv-00109-UNJ Document 61 Filed 02/08/21 Page 10 of 10