VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01283
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01283
Petitioner: Curtis Bakken
Filed: 2017-09-26
Decided: 2018-02-05
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-10
Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 138000

AI-assisted case summary:
Curtis Bakken filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 10, 2013. He stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that he experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement for his condition. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused his GBS or any other injury, and denied that his current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 25, 2017, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Curtis Bakken was awarded a lump sum of $138,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision directed the clerk of the court to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.

Theory of causation field:
unclear

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01283-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-02-05
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 9/26/2017) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:16-vv-01283-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/05/18 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-1283V
Filed: September 26, 2017
UNPUBLISHED
CURTIS BAKKEN,
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
Petitioner,
(Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
v.
Syndrome (GBS)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Kate G. Westad, Larkin Hoffman, et al., Ltd., Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner.
Lynn E. Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On October 6, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as
a result of receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 10, 2013. Petition at ¶ 1;
Stipulation, filed Sept. 25, 2017, at ¶¶ 1, 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine
was administered in the United States, that he experienced the residual effects of his
injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of
a civil action for damages as a result of his condition. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 4, 5; Stipulation
at ¶¶ 3-5. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from GBS,
or any other injury, and denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are sequelae of a
vaccine-relate injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with
the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to
identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact 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).

Case 1:16-vv-01283-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/05/18 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on September 25, 2017, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court
in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:
A lump sum of $138,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Curtis Bakken. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all
items of damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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