VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00562
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00562
Petitioner: Richard Deckert
Filed: 2016-05-10
Decided: 2017-05-11
Vaccine: Td
Vaccination date: 2015-01-26
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 140000

AI-assisted case summary:
Richard Deckert filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on May 10, 2016, alleging that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination on January 26, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Td immunization caused the petitioner's injury. Despite the denial, the parties reached a settlement agreement. On May 11, 2017, they filed a joint stipulation outlining the settlement terms. As part of the agreement, the respondent agreed to pay Richard Deckert a lump sum of $140,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under the program. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded the compensation. The decision was issued on May 11, 2017. Randall G. Knutson represented the petitioner, and Sarah Duncan represented the respondent. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert testimony.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Richard Deckert alleged that he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination on January 26, 2015. The respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement, and Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted their stipulation, awarding a lump sum of $140,000.00 to the petitioner. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, the mechanism of injury, or name any experts. The case was settled via joint stipulation filed on May 11, 2017, with the decision issued on the same date. Petitioner was represented by Randall G. Knutson, and respondent was represented by Sarah Duncan.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00562-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-06-05
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 5/11/2017) Regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (jo) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:16-vv-00562-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/05/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
(Filed: May 11, 2017)
No. 16-562V
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
RICHARD DECKERT, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation;
* Guillain-Barre Syndrome
v. * (“GBS”); Tetanus and
* diphtheria (“Td”) Vaccine.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Randall G. Knutson, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner.
Sarah Duncan, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Roth, Special Master:
On May 10, 2016, Richard Deckert [“Mr. Deckert,” or “petitioner”] filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that
he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of receiving a tetanus-diphtheria
(“Td”) vaccination on January 26, 2015. See Stipulation, filed May 11, 2017, at ¶¶ 1-4.
Respondent denies that the Td immunization caused petitioner’s injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I
intend to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, 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)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party
has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria
in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for
redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the identified
material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete such material from public
access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent
subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).
1

Case 1:16-vv-00562-UNJ Document 31 Filed 06/05/17 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On May 11, 2017, the parties
filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.
Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:
A lump sum of $140,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Richard
Deckert. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount
and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in
accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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