VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00514
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00514
Petitioner: James Ritchie
Filed: 2017-09-29
Decided: 2017-11-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-17
Condition: neuropathy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 125000

AI-assisted case summary:
James Ritchie filed a petition on September 29, 2017, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that he suffered from neuropathy as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2013, and that he experienced residual effects from this condition for more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Ritchie's neuropathy. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation, which was filed on September 29, 2017. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the court's decision. The stipulation awarded Mr. Ritchie a lump sum of $125,000.00, payable by check to the Petitioner, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. The court approved this award and directed the clerk to enter judgment.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner James Ritchie alleged that a neuropathy resulted from his October 17, 2013, influenza vaccine, with residual effects lasting over six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties settled via stipulation, filed September 29, 2017, agreeing to an award of $125,000.00. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset, symptoms, tests, or treatments.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00514-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-11-14
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/29/2017) Regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:16-vv-00514-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/14/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-514V
(not to be published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
JAMES RITCHIE, *
* Special Master Corcoran
*
Petitioner, * Filed: September 29, 2017
*
v. *
* Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Influenza (“flu”) Vaccine; Neuropathy.
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Isaiah R. Kalinowski, Maglio, Christopher, and Toale, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Ryan Pyles, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On April 27, 2016, James Ritchie filed a petition seeking compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program”).2 Petitioner alleges that he suffered
from a neuropathy as a result of his October 17, 2013, influenza (“flu”) vaccine. Petitioner further
alleges that he has experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.
1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This
means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the decision’s inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information.
Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen 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 whole decision in its present form will be
available. Id.
2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660,
100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”).

Case 1:16-vv-00514-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/14/17 Page 2 of 7
Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s neuropathy, or any other injury.
Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation
(filed on September 29, 2017) that the issues before them could be settled, and that a decision
should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.
I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
(as attached hereto) is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the
terms set forth therein.
The stipulation awards:
 A lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a) of the Act.
I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to
Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the Court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately)
a notice renouncing their right to seek review.
2

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