VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00302 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00302 Petitioner: Alexander Katsaros Filed: 2016-05-06 Decided: 2016-05-06 Vaccine: influenza (flu) Vaccination date: 2013-01-14 Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and an encephalopathy Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 200000 AI-assisted case summary: Alexander Katsaros, represented by F. John Caldwell, filed a petition on May 6, 2016, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and an encephalopathy, with residual effects lasting more than six months, caused by an influenza vaccine received on January 14, 2013. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley, denied that the flu vaccine caused these alleged injuries. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case. Special Master Laura D. Millman reviewed the stipulation and found its terms to be reasonable. The court adopted the stipulation and awarded Alexander Katsaros $200,000.00 in compensation for all damages. The decision was issued on May 6, 2016. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the medical experts consulted by either party. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Alexander Katsaros alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on January 14, 2013, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and an encephalopathy, with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding $200,000.00 in compensation for all damages. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the medical experts, or the evidence presented by either party. The decision date was May 6, 2016. Attorneys involved were F. John Caldwell for the petitioner and Debra A. Filteau Begley for the respondent. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00302-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-05-27 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/06/2016) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-302V Filed: May 6, 2016 Not for Publication ************************************* ALEXANDER KATSAROS, * * Petitioner, * Damages decision based on * stipulation; influenza (flu) vaccine; v. * Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS); * encephalopathy SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************************* F. John Caldwell, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 6, 2016, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) and an encephalopathy that were caused by his receipt of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on January 14, 2013. He further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer GBS, an encephalopathy, or any other injury. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such material from public access. Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 2 of 7 The undersigned finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable. The court hereby adopts the parties’ said stipulation, attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards a lump sum of $200,000.00, representing compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) (2012). The award shall be in the form of a check for $200,000.00 made payable 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.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: May 6, 2016 s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00302-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/27/16 Page 7 of 7