James Rodney Peoples v. HHS - Hepatitis B, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2016)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
James Rodney Peoples, represented by Jeffrey S. Pop, filed a petition on September 4, 2015, seeking compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986.
Peoples alleged that he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine on March 31, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, represented by Justine Walters, denied that the Hepatitis B vaccine caused Peoples' alleged GBS or any other injury.
Despite the respondent's denial, the parties submitted a joint stipulation agreeing to a settlement. The stipulation proposed a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 to Petitioner for all remaining damages.
Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. The parties waived their right to seek review of the decision, and judgment was to be entered in accordance with the stipulation.
The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Theory of causation
Petitioner James Rodney Peoples alleged that the Hepatitis B vaccine administered on March 31, 2014, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation for compensation, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 for all remaining damages. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused GBS. The award was $90,000.00. The decision was issued on September 15, 2016. Petitioner's counsel was Jeffrey S. Pop, and respondent's counsel was Justine Walters.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00980