VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01081 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01081 Petitioner: Chiyoko Miller Filed: 2016-08-29 Decided: 2017-12-21 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2013-10-09 Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 125000 AI-assisted case summary: Chiyoko Miller filed a petition for vaccine compensation alleging that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza (flu) vaccines she received on October 9, 2013, caused her to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused GBS or any other injury. Despite maintaining their positions, the parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. The stipulation stated that the Tdap and flu vaccines are on the Vaccine Injury Table. Ms. Miller represented that she had no prior award or settlement for her condition. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision. As a result, Ms. Miller was awarded a lump sum payment of $125,000.00 to compensate for all damages. The parties also agreed to submit to further proceedings for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. The stipulation included a release of all claims against the United States and the Secretary related to the alleged vaccine injuries. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01081-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-12-21 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/13/17) regarding 43 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (MRG) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CHIYOKO MILLER, * * No. 16-1081V Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran * v. * Filed: November 13, 2017 * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; tetanus-diptheria-acellular AND HUMAN SERVICES, * pertussis (“Tdap”); influenza (“flu”); * Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Danielle A. Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner; Althea W. Davis, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION1 On November 9, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Chiyoko Miller on August 29, 2016. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and influenza (“flu”) vaccines, which are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which she received on October 9, 2013, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”). Petitioner further alleges that she 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 her behalf as a result of her condition. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer GBS or any other injury. 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-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 2 of 7 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 $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 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 16-1081V 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 Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CHIYOKO MILLER, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 16-1081V ) Special Master v. ) Christian J. Moran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Chiyoko Miller, 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 tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and influenza (“flu”) vaccines, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received Tdap and flu vaccines on October 9, 2013. 3. The vaccines were administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as the result of her Tdap and flu vaccinations and that she suffered the 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 of her condition. 6. Respondent denies that the Tdap and flu vaccines caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other injury or her current condition. 1 Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 4 of 7 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 of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 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)(1), 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 her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services 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 (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payments 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-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 2 Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 5 of 7 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 her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or 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 Court of Federal 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 Tdap and flu vaccinations administered on October 9, 2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 29, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-1081V. 14. If 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 parties. 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 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 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 3 Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 6 of 7 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 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 construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Tdap and flu vaccines caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other injury or her current condition. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION / / / / / / / / / / / 4 Case 1:16-vv-01081-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/21/17 Page 7 of 7