VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01345 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01345 Petitioner: Michael Stephen Greer Filed: 2017-04-27 Decided: 2017-06-07 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-10-22 Condition: transverse myelitis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 405000 AI-assisted case summary: Linda Adkins Greer, as legal representative of the Estate of Michael Stephen Greer, filed a petition on April 27, 2017, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that Mr. Greer suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) as a result of his October 22, 2014, influenza vaccine and that his death was a sequela of this alleged vaccine-related injury. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Greer's TM, any other injury, or his death. However, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation. The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $405,000.00 to Petitioner as the legal representative of the Estate of Michael Stephen Greer, representing compensation for all damages. Special Master Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision in awarding damages. Judgment was to be entered accordingly. Theory of causation field: unclear Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01345-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-06-07 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/27/2017) regarding 18 DECISION Stipulation: Signed by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sb) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-1345V (not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LINDA ADKINS GREER, as legal representative * of the ESTATE OF MICHAEL STEPHEN * Special Master Corcoran GREER, deceased, * * Petitioner, * Filed: April 27, 2017 * v. * * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Transverse Myelitis (“TM”); * Death. Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Milton C. Ragsdale, IV, Ragsdale LLC, Birmingham, AL, for Petitioner. Collen C. Hartley, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 14, 2016, Linda Adkins Greer, as legal representative of the Estate of Michael Stephen Greer, filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Program”).2 The petition alleges that Mr. Greer suffered from transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of his October 22, 2014, influenza (“flu”) vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that Mr. Greer’s death was the sequela of his alleged vaccine-related injury. 1 This Decision has been designated “not to be published,” which means I am not directing it to be posted on the Court of Federal Claims’s website. However, it will nevertheless be made public in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). 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-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Greer’s alleged TM, any other injury, or his death. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation (filed on April 27, 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 $405,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner as legal representative of the Estate of Michael Stephen Greer. 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 as legal representative of the Estate of Michael Stephen Greer. 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 Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:16-vv-01345-UNJ Document 22 Filed 06/07/17 Page 7 of 7