VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01370 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01370 Petitioner: Warren Fiske Filed: 2015-10-28 Decided: 2016-11-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-10-21 Condition: transverse myelitis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 129324 AI-assisted case summary: Warren Fiske filed a petition for compensation on October 28, 2015, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 21, 2014, caused him to develop neurological injuries, including transverse myelitis, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Fiske's transverse myelitis or any other injury, and denied that his current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on October 13, 2016. Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it. Mr. Fiske was awarded a lump sum of $129,324.49 for all damages. The judgment was entered in accordance with the terms of the stipulation. Petitioner was represented by Amber D. Wilson of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and Respondent was represented by Lisa A. Watts of the United States Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Warren Fiske alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 21, 2014, caused him to develop transverse myelitis with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, and the Special Master adopted it. Petitioner was awarded $129,324.49. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, clinical details of the injury, onset, symptoms, tests, or treatments. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01370-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-11-28 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/28/2016) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman. (ca1) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-1370V Filed: October 28, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED WARREN FISKE, * * Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman Petitioner, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Influenza Vaccine; Transverse * Myelitis. SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Amber D. Wilson, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington D.C., for Petitioner. Lisa A. Watts, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION1 On November 12, 2015, Warren Fiske (“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 21, 2014, he developed neurological injuries, including transverse myelitis (“TM”). See Stipulation for Award at ¶ 2, 4, filed Oct. 13, 2016. Petitioner further alleged that he suffered residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. 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-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 2 of 7 On October 13, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation3 in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s TM, or any other injury; and further denies that Petitioner’s current disabilities are sequelae of a vaccine-related 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 $129,324.49, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Warren Fiske. 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Special Master 3 The parties’ stipulation uses an incorrect spelling of Petitioner’s name. The correct spelling of Petitioner’s name is Warren Fiske, as used in this decision adopting the parties’ stipulation. 4 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 Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:15-vv-01370-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/28/16 Page 7 of 7