VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00082 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00082 Petitioner: Wade Hutton Filed: 2019-01-16 Decided: 2020-08-25 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-11-16 Condition: Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 96250 AI-assisted case summary: On January 16, 2019, Wade Hutton filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on November 16, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Mr. Hutton was entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that Mr. Hutton's condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS, which affords a presumption of causation if GBS onset occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. On February 28, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Mr. Hutton entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on July 23, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on August 25, 2020, awarding Mr. Hutton a lump sum payment of $96,250.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering, with projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value. Petitioner counsel was Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent counsel was Sarah Christina Duncan of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Wade Hutton alleged Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) resulting from an influenza vaccine administered on November 16, 2016. The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that Petitioner met the criteria in the Vaccine Injury Table for GBS, which presumes causation if GBS onset occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and no alternative cause is apparent. The public decision does not describe the onset or specific symptoms of GBS, nor does it detail any medical tests or treatments. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on February 28, 2020, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On July 23, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $96,250.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering, with projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value. This award was approved by Chief Special Master Corcoran in a decision dated August 25, 2020. Petitioner counsel was Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, and respondent counsel was Sarah Christina Duncan. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00082-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-30 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/28/2020) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/30/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0082V UNPUBLISHED WADE HUTTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 28, 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. Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 16, 2019, Wade Hutton 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 Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on November 16, 2016. Petition at 1-4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 27, 2020, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner has satisfied the 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 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/30/20 Page 2 of 2 criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford Petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Id. at 5. 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_19-vv-00082-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-08-25 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/23/2020) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 35 Filed 08/25/20 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0082V UNPUBLISHED WADE HUTTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 23, 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. Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner. Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 16, 2019, Wade Hutton 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 Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on November 16, 2016. Petition at 1-4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 28, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On July 23, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $96,250.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering, with projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner 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 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 35 Filed 08/25/20 Page 2 of 5 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 $96,250.00 (for actual and projected pain and suffering, with projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value) 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 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 35 Filed 08/25/20 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) WADE HUTTON, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-82V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 16, 2019, Wade Hutton (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to him on November 16, 2016. Petition at 1. On February 27, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that compensation be awarded, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation the following day. ECF No. 22; ECF No. 23. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that Wade Hutton should be awarded $96,250.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that the award for projected pain and suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 35 Filed 08/25/20 Page 4 of 5 II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to Wade Hutton should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $96,250.00, representing compensation for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Wade Hutton. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Wade Hutton: $ 96,250.00 Respectfully submitted, ETHAN P. DAVIS 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 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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:19-vv-00082-UNJ Document 35 Filed 08/25/20 Page 5 of 5 s/ Sarah C. Duncan SARAH C. DUNCAN 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) 514-9729 Fax: (202) 616-4310 DATED: July 23, 2020 3