VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00980
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00980
Petitioner: James Rodney Peoples
Filed: 2015-09-04
Decided: 2016-09-15
Vaccine: Hepatitis B
Vaccination date: 2014-03-31
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 90000

AI-assisted case summary:
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 field:
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.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00980-0
Date issued/filed: 2016-09-15
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/5/2016) regarding 24 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (ca1) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-00980-UNJ Document 33 Filed 09/15/16 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-980V
Filed: August 5, 2016
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED
JAMES RODNEY PEOPLES, *
* Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman
Petitioner, *
* Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Hepatitis B Vaccine; Guillain-
* Barré Syndrome (“GBS”).
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Justine Walters, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION1
On September 4, 2015, James Rodney Peoples (“Petitioner”) petitioned for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012).
Petitioner alleged that the administration of the Hepatitis B vaccine, on March 31, 2014, caused
him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”).
The parties recently filed a stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding
compensation. Respondent denies that the Hepatitis B vaccine is the cause of Petitioner’s
alleged GBS or any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the purposes espoused in the E-Government Act of 2002. See 44
U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). 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).
1

Case 1:15-vv-00980-UNJ Document 33 Filed 09/15/16 Page 2 of 2
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 “a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 in
the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner.” Appendix A at 2. They also specify that this
“amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).” Id.
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.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman
Special Master
2 Entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek
review. Vaccine Rule 11(a).
2