VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00467
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00467
Petitioner: Amy Hatfield
Filed: 2019-03-29
Decided: 2023-07-26
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-14
Condition: Transverse Myelitis
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 602221

AI-assisted case summary:
Amy Hatfield filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered Transverse Myelitis (TM) caused by her October 14, 2016 influenza vaccination. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects for more than six months, had no prior award or settlement for damages, and that her vaccine was administered in the United States. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her TM or any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. The award includes a lump sum of $600,000.00 for combined first-year life care expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Additionally, $2,221.27 was awarded to reimburse a Pennsylvania Medicaid lien for services rendered to Ms. Hatfield. The award also includes an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract for future care. These amounts represent compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
unclear

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00467-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-08-21
Pages: 10
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 7/26/2023) regarding 77 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (ksb) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00467-UNJ Document 81 Filed 08/21/23 Page 1 of 10
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-467V
Filed: July 26, 2022
AMY HATFIELD,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.
Catherine Elizabeth Stolar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On March 29, 2019, 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 Transverse Myelitis (“TM”) caused
by her October 14, 2016 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed July
26, 2023, at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has experienced the residual effects
of her condition for more than six months, that there has been no prior award or
settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of his condition, and that his vaccine
was administered in the United States. Petition at 1,6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from TM or any other
injury or her current condition. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on July 26, 2023, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
1 Because this document contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of
2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the document 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-00467-UNJ Document 81 Filed 08/21/23 Page 2 of 10
reasonable and adopt 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, I award the following
compensation:
• A lump sum of $600,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for
combined first year life care expenses, lost earnings, and pain and
suffering. Id.
• A lump sum of $2,221.27 in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services at the
following address:
Bureau of Program Integrity
Division of Third Party Liability
Recovery Section
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Id. This amount represents reimbursement of a Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of petitioner.
Id. Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Pennsylvania
Department of Human Services.
• An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract from an
appropriate life insurance company as described in paragraph 10 of
the attached Joint Stipulation. Id.
These amounts represent compensation for all items of damages that would be
available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.
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/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
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

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