VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00192 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00192 Petitioner: Robert Whaley Filed: 2016-02-08 Decided: 2017-01-04 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-10-15 Condition: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and/or Anti-MAG neuropathy Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 100000 AI-assisted case summary: Robert Whaley filed a petition alleging that the influenza vaccine he received on October 15, 2014, caused him to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and/or Anti-MAG neuropathy. He claimed to have suffered residual effects for more than six months. The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied that the vaccine caused Mr. Whaley's condition, asserting that his disabilities were not sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Mr. Whaley a lump sum of $100,000.00 as compensation for all damages. This award was made in accordance with the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The stipulation also addressed future proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs, and outlined the release of claims by the petitioner. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00192-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-01-30 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/05/2017) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (SP) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00192-UNJ Document 40 Filed 01/30/17 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ROBERT WHALEY, * * No. 16-192V Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran * v. * Filed: January 5, 2017 * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * chronic inflammatory demyelinating * polyneuropathy (“CIDP”); Anti-MAG * neuropathy. * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner; Lisa A. Watts, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION1 On January 4, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Robert Whaley on February 8, 2016. In his petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which he received on October 15, 2014, caused him to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) and/or Anti-MAG neuropathy. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. 1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website. Case 1:16-vv-00192-UNJ Document 40 Filed 01/30/17 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to develop CIDP, Anti-MAG neuropathy, 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. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Damages awarded in that stipulation include: A lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Robert Whaley. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 16-192V according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge. 2 CCaassee 11::1166--vvvv--0000119922--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 3450 FFiilleedd 0011//0340//1177 PPaaggee 13 ooff 57 IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ROBERT WHALEY, ) :ECF ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 16-192V ) Special Master SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) Cluistian J. Moran SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Robert Whaley ("petitioner"), filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 15, 2014. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that he developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy ("CIDP") and/or Anti-MAG neuropathy, which were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of his iajuries for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. CCaassee 11::1166--vvvv--0000119922--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 3450 FFiilleedd 0011//0340//1177 PPaaggee 24 ooff 57 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged CIDP, Anti-MAG neuropathy, or any other injury, and further denies that petitioner's cwTent disabilities are sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. 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 described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner bas filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment; A lump sum of $100.000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available Wlder 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. 10. Petitioner and his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or se1vices for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (4 2 U.S.C. § 1396 ct seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a prepaid basis. 2 CCaassee 11::1166--vvvv--0000119922--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 3450 FFiilleedd 0011//0340//1177 PPaaggee 35 ooff 57 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8, and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of th.is Stipulation, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award 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 construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, 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 all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the United States Court ofFederal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccine administered on October 15, 2014, as alleged by petitionerin a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 8, 2016, in the United States Court ofFederal Claims as petition No. 16-192V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the tenns of this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims foils to enter judgment in 3 CCaassee 11::1166--vvvv--0000119922--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 3450 FFiilleedd 0011//0340//1177 PPaaggee 46 ooff 57 conformity with a decision that is in complete confo1mity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National 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 do any act or thing other than is herein 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 or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 17. This Stipulation shall not be conshued as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged CIDP, Anti MAG neuropathy, or any other injury, or that his current disabilities are sequelae of his alleged vaccine-related injuries. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. I END OF STIPULATION I I II 4 CCaassee 11::1166--vvvv--0000119922--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 3450 FFiilleedd 0011//0340//1177 PPaaggee 57 ooff 57 Respectfully submitted, ROBERT WHALEY ---_-_-_- ---· -· . ------ ' ,,.,-- ·--..... -.......... L ' ..... - ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE AITORNEY GENERAL: [_L_ ___ ()uom---~ C.\ioftU/\_ Ru.u ---.._ ~ ~ 83.l lc)Lz) RONALD C. HOMER, SQ. EE. REEVES CONWAY, HOMER & CHIN-CAPLAN, P.C. Ac eputy Director 16 Shawmut Street Torts Branch .Boston, MA 02116 Civil Division Tel: (617) 695-1990 U.S. DepartmentofJusticc P. 0. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE .OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THE SECRETA RY OF HEALT H AND RESPONDENT: HUMAN SERVICES: Director Senior Trial Attorney Division of Injury Compensation Programs Torts Branch Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services Administration U. S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Health and Human Services P. 0. Box 146 5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station Pnrklown BMuilfd ing, Stop 08Nl46B Washington, DC 20044-0146 Rockville, 0857 Tel: (202) 616-4099 ____. ..,_.._ DATE:~_.,.,__ 5