VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00572 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00572 Petitioner: H.B. Filed: 2015-08-28 Decided: 2015-08-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2013-09-26 Condition: transverse myelitis, encephalomyelitis, neurogenic bladder Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 185000 AI-assisted case summary: On August 28, 2015, the legal representative of minor child H.B. filed a petition alleging that H.B. suffered from transverse myelitis, encephalomyelitis, and neurogenic bladder as a result of receiving Influenza, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and Hepatitis A vaccines on September 26, 2013. The petition further alleged that the residual effects of these injuries lasted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused the alleged injuries. The parties subsequently reached a stipulation to resolve the case informally. Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding $185,000.00 for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). This award was to be paid as a lump sum check made payable to the petitioner. Additionally, the Special Master awarded $19,320.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable as a lump sum check made jointly to the petitioner and Muller Brazil, LLP. The decision was issued on August 28, 2015, based on the stipulation filed on the same date. Paul R. Brazil represented the petitioner, and Julia W. McInerny represented the respondent. Theory of causation field: Petitioner alleged that the Influenza, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and Hepatitis A vaccines administered on September 26, 2013, caused the minor child H.B. to suffer from transverse myelitis, encephalomyelitis, and neurogenic bladder, with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case, and the Special Master adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of causation, any medical experts, or the evidence presented to support the theory. The case was resolved via stipulation, resulting in an award of $185,000.00 for damages and $19,320.00 for attorneys' fees and costs. Special Master Laura D. Millman issued the decision on August 28, 2015. Petitioner counsel was Paul R. Brazil, and respondent counsel was Julia W. McInerny. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00572-0 Date issued/filed: 2015-09-18 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/28/2015) regarding 21 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlf) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-572V Filed: August 28, 2015 Not for Publication ************************************* CARA BROCKWAY, * Legal Representative of Minor Child, H.B. * * Petitioner, * Damages decision based on * stipulation; influenza (flu) vaccine; v. * human papilloma virus vaccine; * hepatitis A vaccine; * transverse myelitis; * encephalomyelitis; * neurogenic bladder; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * fees and costs AND HUMAN SERVICES, * decision based on stipulation * Respondent. * * * ************************************* Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Julia W. McInerny, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1 On August 28, 2015, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that her child, H.B., suffered from transverse myelitis (“TM”), encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”), neurogenic bladder, and subsequent conditions that were caused by H.B.’s receipt of the Influenza (“flu”), Human 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’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). 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-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 2 of 8 Papilloma Virus (“HPV”), and Hepatitis (“Hep.”) A vaccines on September 26, 2013. Petitioner further alleges that her child suffered the residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Respondent denies that the flu, HPV, or Hep. A vaccines caused H.B.’s alleged injury or any other injury. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally. The court finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable, hereby adopts the parties’ stipulation, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the attached stipulation, the court awards $185,000.00 for reimbursement for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) (2012). The parties have also agreed on an appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner asserts that she did not incur out-of- pocket expenses in pursuit of her petition. Petitioner requests $19,320.00 in attorneys’ fees and costs. Respondent does not object to this amount. The undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards: a. a lump sum of $185,000.00, representing compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award shall be in the form of a check made payable to petitioner in the amount of $185,000.00; and b. a lump sum of $19,320.00, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Muller Brazil, LLP in the amount of $19,320.00; 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: August 28, 2015 /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-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 3 of 8 Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 4 of 8 Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 5 of 8 Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 6 of 8 Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 7 of 8 Case 1:14-vv-00572-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/18/15 Page 8 of 8