VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00922 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00922 Petitioner: Kevin Delapaz Filed: 2018-06-27 Decided: 2020-12-22 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-01-20 Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 683398 AI-assisted case summary: Kevin Delapaz filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccination administered on January 20, 2014. The respondent conceded that Mr. Delapaz is entitled to compensation, agreeing that his condition satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Subsequently, a ruling on entitlement was issued on March 27, 2020, finding Mr. Delapaz entitled to compensation. On November 18, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $683,398.81. This amount was comprised of $195,000.00 for pain and suffering, $485,941.00 for past and future lost wages, and $2,457.81 for past, unreimbursable medical expenses. Mr. Delapaz agreed with this proffered award. Based on the record, the Chief Special Master awarded Mr. Delapaz a lump sum payment of $683,398.81. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00922-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-04-28 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/27/2020) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/28/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0922V UNPUBLISHED KEVIN DELAPAZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 27, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent. Renee J. Gentry, Vaccine Injury Clinic, George Washington Univ. Law School, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On June 27, 2018, Kevin Delapaz 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 from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on January 20, 2014. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 26, 2020, Respondent filed his Amended Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). This means the ruling 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/28/20 Page 2 of 2 Amended Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that “[P]etitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).” Id. at 8. In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00922-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-12-22 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/19/2020) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/22/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0922V UNPUBLISHED KEVIN DELAPAZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 19, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent. Renee J. Gentry, Vaccine Injury Clinic, George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 27, 2018, Kevin Delapaz 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 from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on January 20, 2014. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 27, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On November 18, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $683,398.81, comprised of $195,000.00 for pain and suffering, $485,941.00 for past and future lost 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/22/20 Page 2 of 4 wages, and $2,457.81 for past, unreimbursable medical expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $683,398.81, comprised of $195,000.00 for pain and suffering, $485,941.00 for past and future lost wages, and $2,457.81 for past, unreimbursable medical expenses, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 15(a). The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran 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 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/22/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS KEVIN DELAPAZ, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 18-922V ) Chief Special Master Brian Corcoran SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 26 2020, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that petitioner suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome within the Table timeframe following an influenza vaccination, which was compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34. Accordingly, on March 27, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $195,000.00 for pain and suffering, $485,941.00 for past and future lost wages, and $2,457.81 for past, unreimburseable medical expenses. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:18-vv-00922-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/22/20 Page 4 of 4 II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $683,398.81 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ LARA A. ENGLUND LARA A. ENGLUND Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 307-3013 E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov Dated: November 18, 2020 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages. 2