VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00068 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00068 Petitioner: Deitra Curry Filed: 2016-01-12 Decided: 2018-05-14 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-11-11 Condition: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 214000 AI-assisted case summary: Deitra Curry filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 12, 2016. She alleged that the influenza vaccine she received on November 11, 2014, caused her to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and that she experienced residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged CIDP or any other injury. Despite maintaining their positions, the parties reached a stipulation for award. Special Master Herbrina Sanders reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation provided for a lump sum payment of $214,000.00, payable to Petitioner, representing compensation for all damages available under the program. Petitioner, represented by Maximillian J. Muller of Muller Brazil, LLP, and Respondent, represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice, agreed to this settlement. The decision was entered on May 14, 2018. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. The parties agreed that the stipulation expressed a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages, and it was not to be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary that Petitioner's CIDP was caused in fact by her flu vaccination. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Deitra Curry received an influenza vaccine on November 11, 2014, and alleged it caused her to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to an award, with Petitioner receiving $214,000.00. The stipulation stated that the flu vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, but it does not specify if CIDP is an "on-Table" condition for this vaccine or if the theory was "off-Table." The public decision does not detail the medical experts, specific clinical findings, or the proposed mechanism of injury. The stipulation explicitly states it is not an admission of causation. The decision was entered on May 14, 2018, by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. Petitioner was represented by Maximillian J. Muller, and Respondent by Debra A. Filteau Begley. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00068-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-05-14 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/02/2018) regarding 47 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Herbrina Sanders. (azc) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: April 2, 2018 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DEITRA CURRY, * No. 16-68V * Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders * v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award; Influenza (“flu”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Vaccine; Chronic Inflammatory * Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”). Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION1 On January 12, 2016, Deitra Curry (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on November 11, 2014 caused her to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”). See Stip. at 1, ECF No. 46. Petitioner further alleged that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. On April 2, 2018, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Id. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged CIDP, or any other injury. Id. at 2. 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 This decision shall be posted 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, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (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 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereafter, for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 2 of 7 The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: A lump sum of $214,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. at 2. 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 Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D. Sanders Herbrina D. Sanders 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 Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 3 of 7 INTHE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS • DEITRA CURRY, • Petitioner, ' No, !6-68V ' SPECIAL MASTER v, ' HERBRINA SANDERS • SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ' HUMAN SERVICES, ' ' Respondent, * ************************************* ST)PULATIO~ The parties hernby stipulate to the following matters: \, Petitioner filed a petition for vaccine compensation unde'r the National Vaccine lnju1·y Compensation Pl'Ogram, 42 U.S,C. § 300aa-l Oto 34 (the "Vaccine Program").' The petition seeks conipensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner\s receipt of the Influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine fs contained in the Vaccine Injury Tab!e (the ''Table"), 42 C.F.R, § I 00.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received a flu immunization on November 11, 2014, 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy ("CIDP'') that was caused-in-fact by a flu vaccine and that she has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 5, Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result ofher condition, Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent dcnles that petitioner's alleged CJDP, or any other injUl'y, was caused-in-fact by her flu vaccinat!on. 7. Maintaining their above--stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation descr.ibed in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soort as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an electi~n to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(a)(I),_ the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccin~ compensatio11 payment: A lump sum of$214,000.00 in the form ofa check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for al! damages that would be available under 42 U.S,C. § 300aa• 15(a). 9. As soon as practica~le after the ent1·y ofj udgment on entitlement in this cnse, and aft~r petitioner has filed both a proper and tlmely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S,C, § 300aa-2l(n)(1), and an application, the parties w!II submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this pelition. I 0, Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42.U.S.C, § 300aa- l5(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insul'ance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U,S,C. § 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre~paid basis, 2 Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-lS(i), fUbject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds, 12. The parties and their attorneys fu11her agree and stipufote that, except for any awa!'d for attorneys' fees, and litigation costs, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict constl'tlCtion of 42 U,S,C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of42 U,S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h), 13. In return for the payments descl'ibed in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns 1 does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements,judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and al! demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § J00aa~J 0 et seq,, on account of, or In any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to 01· death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, a flu vaccination administered on November I l, 2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 12, 2016 1 In the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No, 16~68V, 14. Jf petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the partie:.. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity 3 Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 6 of 7 with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either pnrty. 16. This Stipulation ex.presses a full and complete negotiated settlement ofliabillty and damages claimed under the Nntional Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is hei'eiri expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition 01· in the 1 items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. l 7. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that petitioner's alleged CIDP or any other condition, 1 was causcdRinRfact by her flu vaccination. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4 Case 1:16-vv-00068-UNJ Document 51 Filed 05/14/18 Page 7 of 7 I I ~ Respectfully submitted, PETITJONER: cfl17/p_ ~ ) DEITRA CURRY Y OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF HE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ulle 8l'azil, LLP Dep irector 715 Twinning Road, Suite 208 Torts Branch Dresher, ?A 19025 Civil Division (215) 885~ 1655 U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR RESPONDENT: DD . n ~ - Directo1· . Trial Attorney Division of Injury Compensation Programs Torts Branch Healthcare Systems Bureau Civi! D:visio:1 U.S. Departmen: ofHe,d·, 5600 Fishers Lane P.O. Box 146 Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N 146B Benjamin Franklin Station Rockville, MD 20857 Washington, DC 20044-0146 (202) 616-4181 Datei:i:~ 5