VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01125 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01125 Petitioner: Thida Phann Filed: 2017-08-21 Decided: 2019-06-13 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-11-05 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 75826 AI-assisted case summary: Thida Phann filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 21, 2017, alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of her influenza immunization received on November 5, 2014. She stated that she received the vaccination in the United States, suffered the effects of her injury for more than six months, and had no prior award or settlement for her condition. Respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner's GBS. Nevertheless, on February 22, 2019, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Thida Phann was awarded a total of $75,826.33, consisting of a lump sum of $60,000.00 payable to her and $15,826.33 to reimburse a Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and Equian, LLC. These payments represent compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: unclear Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01125-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-06-13 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/25/2019) regarding 38 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1125V Filed: February 25, 2019 UNPUBLISHED THIDA PHANN, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint v. Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Syndrome (GBS) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Gary Charles Grotz, Gary Grotz Law Firm, Seattle, WA, for petitioner. Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 21, 2017, 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 she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of her November 5, 2014 influenza (“flu”) immunization. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed February 22, 2019, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received her vaccination in the United States, that she suffered the effects of her injury for more than six months, and that “there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.” Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5; Petition at ¶¶ 2,16-17. “Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer GBS or any other injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. 1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, undersigned is required 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). 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 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on February 22, 2019, 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. A lump sum of $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and b. A lump sum of $15,826.33 which amount represents reimbursement of a Medicaid Lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Equian, LLC File No. 604065-113115 P.O. Box 32140 Louisville, KY 40232-2140 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Equian, LLC. Payments made pursuant to paragraphs 8(a) and 8(b) [of the attached joint stipulation] represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8. 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 Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:17-vv-01125-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/13/19 Page 7 of 7