VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01160 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01160 Petitioner: Robert Boyer Filed: 2015-10-09 Decided: 2017-05-18 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2012-10-19 Condition: ischemic optic neuropathy Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 160000 AI-assisted case summary: Robert Boyer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 9, 2015. He alleged that he suffered from ischemic optic neuropathy as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on October 19, 2012. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused any injury to petitioner. However, the parties reached a joint stipulation recommending an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation provided that petitioner would receive a lump sum of $160,000.00, payable to Robert Boyer, as compensation for all damages available under the program. The decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case. Judgment was to be entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation, unless a motion for review was filed. Ronald C. Homer represented the petitioner, and Adriana Ruth Teitel represented the respondent. The decision was filed on May 18, 2017. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Robert Boyer alleged that an influenza vaccine received on October 19, 2012, caused ischemic optic neuropathy. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. The stipulation awarded petitioner a lump sum of $160,000.00. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccine allegedly caused the injury. The case was resolved via stipulation, not through litigation of entitlement. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01160-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-06-12 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/18/2017) regarding 42 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (tlf) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: May 18, 2017 ************************************* UNPUBLISHED ROBERT BOYER, * * * Petitioner, * No. 15-1160V * v. * * Chief Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Influenza (“flu”) Vaccine; * Ischemic Optic Neuropathy; Respondent. * Stipulation. * ************************************* Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent. DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1 On October 9, 2015, Robert Boyer (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”)2 alleging that as a result of the influenza vaccination he received on October 19, 2012, he suffered from ischemic optic neuropathy. Petition at 1. On May 18, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 41). Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused any injury to petitioner. 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. 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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). 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). Otherwise, the entire decision will be available to the public. Id. 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 “Act”). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa. Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 2 of 7 The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following: A lump sum of $160,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Mr. Robert Boyer. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1). Stipulation 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/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief 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. Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01160-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/12/17 Page 7 of 7