VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00053
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00053
Petitioner: Lonn Rickstrom
Filed: 2021-01-12
Decided: 2021-02-08
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-13
Condition: brachial neuritis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 86000

AI-assisted case summary:
Lonn Rickstrom filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 10, 2018, alleging he developed brachial neuritis after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2016. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Rickstrom's condition. The parties subsequently reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. As part of the settlement, the respondent agreed to issue a lump sum payment of $86,000.00, payable to Lonn Rickstrom, as compensation for all damages available under the program. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth adopted the stipulation and awarded the compensation. The petition was filed on January 12, 2021, and the decision on the stipulation was issued on February 8, 2021. Petitioner counsel was Leah Durant, Esq., and respondent counsel was Christine Becer, Esq. The public decision does not describe the onset, specific symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Lonn Rickstrom alleged brachial neuritis following an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2016. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for settlement, agreeing to a lump sum award of $86,000.00 for all damages. The Special Master adopted the stipulation. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, mechanism, or any expert testimony. The petition was filed January 12, 2021, and the decision was issued February 8, 2021. Attorneys involved were Leah Durant for the petitioner and Christine Becer for the respondent. Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth issued the decision.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00053-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-02-08
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 1/12/2021) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Mindy Michaels Roth. (mw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-00053-UNJ Document 35 Filed 02/08/21 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-53V
Filed: January 12, 2021
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
LONN RICKSTROM, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation;
* Brachial Neuritis; Influenza
v. * (“Flu”) Vaccine
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Leah Durant, Esq., Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Christine Becer, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Roth, Special Master:
On January 10, 2018, Lonn Rickstrom (“Mr. Rickstrom” or “petitioner”) filed a petition
for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges
that he developed brachial neuritis after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 13,
2016. Stipulation, filed Jan. 12, 2021 at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused
petitioner to suffer from brachial neuritis and further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner
to suffer any other injury or his current condition. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On January 12, 2021, the parties
filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.
1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-
347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision
will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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 will be available to the public. Id.
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 1:18-vv-00053-UNJ Document 35 Filed 02/08/21 Page 2 of 7
Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:
A lump sum of $86,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Lonn
Rickstrom. 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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