VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00276 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00276 Petitioner: J.L.M. Filed: 2019-09-04 Decided: 2019-11-18 Vaccine: DTaP/IPV and MMRV Vaccination date: 2015-02-23 Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 85000 AI-assisted case summary: On September 4, 2019, Jerica Mabry, on behalf of her minor son J.L.M., filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that J.L.M. developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the DTaP/IPV and MMRV vaccines on February 23, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused J.L.M.'s medical problems. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on September 3, 2019. Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision. The stipulation awarded a lump sum payment of $85,000.00 to Petitioner, Jerica Miles Mabry, as guardian/conservator of J.L.M.'s estate, as compensation for all elements of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the mechanism of causation. Petitioner's counsel was Milton Clay Ragsdale, IV, and respondent's counsel was Alexis B. Babcock. Judgment was to be entered accordingly. Theory of causation field: Petitioner alleged that J.L.M. developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving the DTaP/IPV and MMRV vaccines on February 23, 2015. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a stipulation settling the case, with the Special Master adopting the stipulation as the decision. The stipulation awarded $85,000.00 for all elements of damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism by which the vaccines allegedly caused GBS. The case was settled via stipulation filed September 3, 2019, with the decision issued November 18, 2019, by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. Petitioner's counsel was Milton Clay Ragsdale, IV, and respondent's counsel was Alexis B. Babcock. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00276-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-11-18 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/04/2019) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (bm) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-276V (Not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Special Master Corcoran JERICA MILES MABRY, * on behalf her minor son, J.L.M., * * Petitioner, * Filed: September 4, 2019 * v. * * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Conceded; Guillain-Barré Syndrome; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * DTaP Vaccine; MMR Vaccine. * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Milton Clay Ragsdale, IV, Ragsdale, LLC, Birmingham, AL, for Petitioner. Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On February 22, 2018, Jerica Mabry filed a petition seeking compensation on behalf of her minor son, J.L.M., under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 ECF No. 1. Ms. Mabry first alleged that J.L.M. developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated polio (“DTap/IPV”) and the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (“MMRV”) vaccines he received on February 23, 2015. Id. at 1. 1 Although not formally designated for publication, this Decision will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the published 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 in its current form. 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”). Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that statutory prefix). Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that J.L.M.’s medical problems were caused by the receipt of the DTap/IPV and MMRV vaccines. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed on September 3, 2019, that the issues before them can 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 payment of $85,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Jerica Miles Mabry, as guardian/conservator of J.L.M.’s estate. This amount represents compensation for all elements of compensation under Vaccine Act Section 15(a) to which Petitioner is entitled. I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to Petitioner. 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 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:18-vv-00276-UNJ Document 33 Filed 11/18/19 Page 7 of 7