VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00181 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00181 Petitioner: E.T. Filed: 2015-11-13 Decided: 2016-01-13 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2013-12-04 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 110000 AI-assisted case summary: E.T., a minor, by his parents Francisco and Luz Tamez, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 13, 2015. They alleged that their son suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a consequence of his December 4, 2013 influenza vaccination. The petition stated that the vaccination occurred within the United States, that the residual effects of the injury lasted for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement for this condition. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused E.T.'s GBS or any other injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on November 13, 2015, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the Court's decision. E.T. was awarded a total of $110,000: $4,700 for past unreimbursed medical expenses and $105,300 for all other damages. The clerk of the court was directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Theory of causation field: Petitioner E.T., a minor, by parents Francisco and Luz Tamez, alleged Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following a December 4, 2013 influenza vaccination. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation on November 13, 2015, agreeing to compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted the stipulation as the Court's decision. E.T. was awarded $110,000 ($4,700 for past unreimbursed medical expenses and $105,300 for all other damages). The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, mechanism, or name any experts. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00181-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-01-13 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/13/2015) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-181V Filed: November 13, 2015 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * E.T., a minor, by his parents * FRANCISCO and LUZ TAMEZ, * * Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages; * Influenza; * Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”); SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Michael McLaren, Black McLaren, et al, PC, Memphis, TN, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 26, 2015, petitioners filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 [the “Vaccine Act”]. Petitioners allege that their son suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a consequence of his December 4, 2013 influenza vaccination. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation, filed 11/13/2015, ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges he received the vaccination within the United States, that the residual effects of his injury lasted for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages resulting from this condition. Petition at 4; Stipulation¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused ET’s GBS or any other injury or his current condition.” Stipulation, ¶ 6. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it 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)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. 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 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 2 of 8 Nevertheless, on November 13, 2015, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. 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 stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation: • A lump sum of $4,700.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners, representing compensation for ET’s past unreimbursed vaccine-related medical expenses; and • A lump sum of $105,300.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as guardians/conservators of ET’s estate, representing compensation for all other damages that would be available under 42 § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation, ¶ 8. These amounts represent compensation for all items of damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 3 of 8 Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 4 of 8 Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 5 of 8 Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 6 of 8 Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 7 of 8 Case 1:15-vv-00181-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/13/16 Page 8 of 8