VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00668 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00668 Petitioner: Ingrid Minge Filed: 2021-02-17 Decided: 2021-04-12 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-20 Condition: transverse myelitis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 115000 AI-assisted case summary: Ingrid Minge filed a petition on February 17, 2021, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Ms. Minge alleged that she suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 20, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Minge's TM or any other injury. Despite this denial, both parties entered into a joint stipulation on February 17, 2021, agreeing that the case could be settled and that compensation should be awarded. Special Master Katherine E. Oler reviewed the stipulation and found it to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court. The stipulation awarded Ms. Minge a lump sum of $115,000.00, intended to compensate for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The decision was finalized on April 12, 2021, with the Clerk directed to enter judgment. Petitioner was represented by Alison H. Haskins of Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Christine M. Becer of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Ingrid Minge alleged that she suffered from transverse myelitis (TM) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October 20, 2016. Respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation agreeing to settlement and compensation. Special Master Katherine E. Oler adopted the stipulation as her decision. The stipulation awarded a lump sum of $115,000.00 to Petitioner. The public decision does not specify the theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury. The decision date was April 12, 2021. Petitioner's counsel was Alison H. Haskins, and respondent's counsel was Christine M. Becer. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00668-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-04-12 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 2/17/2021) regarding 26 DECISION of Special Master - Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (sl) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-668V (not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * INGRID MINGE, * * Filed: February 17, 2021 Petitioner, * * * v. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Myelitis (“TM”). HUMAN SERVICES, * * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota FL., for Petitioner. Christine M. Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On May 7, 2019, Ingrid Minge (“Petitioner”) filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).2 Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges that she suffers from transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 20, 2016. See Stipulation ¶ 2, 4, dated February 17, 2021 (ECF No. 25); see also Petition. Respondent denies “that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer TM or any other injury.” 1 Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted on the 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 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 Decision in its present form will be available. Id. 2 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2012)) (hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa. Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 2 of 7 See Stipulation ¶ 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed on February 17, 2021 that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation. ECF No. 25. I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth therein. The stipulation awards: a. A lump sum of $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation ¶ 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts 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/ Katherine E. Oler Katherine E. Oler Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice renouncing their right to seek review. Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00668-UNJ Document 31 Filed 04/12/21 Page 7 of 7