VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00755
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00755
Petitioner: Ashley Encinias
Filed: 2015-07-20
Decided: 2017-01-23
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-29
Condition: Bell's palsy, facial spasms, and dystonia
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 200000

AI-assisted case summary:
Ashley Encinias filed a petition on July 20, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 29, 2013, caused her to develop Bell's palsy, facial spasms, and dystonia, with residual effects lasting over six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused any injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on December 8, 2016. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation provided for a lump sum award of $200,000.00, payable to Ashley Encinias, to compensate for all damages. The decision was issued on January 23, 2017, with judgment to be entered in accordance with the stipulation unless a motion for review was filed. Petitioner was represented by Lawrence R. Cohan of Anapol Weiss, and respondent was represented by Claudia B. Gangi of the United States Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert testimony.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Ashley Encinias alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 29, 2013, caused her to develop Bell's palsy, facial spasms, and dystonia, with residual effects lasting over six months. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. The stipulation resulted in an award of $200,000.00. The specific theory of causation, medical experts, and the mechanism of injury were not detailed in the public decision. The case was settled via stipulation, with Petitioner represented by Lawrence R. Cohan and Respondent by Claudia B. Gangi. The decision date was January 23, 2017.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00755-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-01-23
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/09/2016) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (azc) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00755-UNJ Document 41 Filed 01/23/17 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-755V
Filed: December 9, 2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
ASHLEY ENCINIAS, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Influenza Vaccine; Bell’s Palsy;
* Facial Spasms; Dystonia.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Claudia B. Gangi, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION1
On July 20, 2015, Ashley Encinias (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
October 29, 2013, she developed Bell’s palsy, facial spasms, and dystonia. See Stipulation for
Award at ¶ ¶ 1-4, filed Dec. 8, 2016. Petitioner further alleged that she suffered residual effects
of these injuries for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4.
On December 8, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision
should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. §
3501 note (2012). 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 (2006) (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 1:15-vv-00755-UNJ Document 41 Filed 01/23/17 Page 2 of 2
caused Petitioner’s Bell’s palsy, or any other injury. 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 compensation:
A lump sum of $200,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).”
Id. at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
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