VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01081 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01081 Petitioner: Brian Behrens Filed: 2019-07-26 Decided: 2026-03-24 Vaccine: Hepatitis A/B Vaccination date: 2018-08-27 Condition: acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 45000 AI-assisted case summary: Brian Behrens filed a petition on July 26, 2019, seeking compensation after receiving a hepatitis A/B vaccine on August 27, 2018. He alleged that the vaccination caused acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), a severe skin reaction, and that he was left with scarring and other adverse effects. The public stipulation materials do not describe the full course of Mr. Behrens's rash, treatment, or scarring in narrative detail. Respondent denied that the hepatitis A/B vaccine caused AGEP, scarring, or any other injury, and denied that Mr. Behrens had a current condition that was a sequela of vaccination. The parties nevertheless filed a joint stipulation on March 24, 2026. Special Master Herbrina D.S. Young reviewed the record, found the stipulation reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court that same day. Mr. Behrens was awarded a lump sum of $45,000.00 for all damages available under section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. Payment was directed through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Mr. Behrens was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant PLLC in Washington, D.C. Theory of causation field: Hepatitis A/B vaccine on August 27, 2018 allegedly causing acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) with skin disease/scarring. COMPENSATED by stipulation, not by admitted causation. Respondent denied vaccine causation, any other injury, and sequelae. Public stipulation record gives limited clinical detail. Petition filed July 26, 2019; stipulation/decision by SM Herbrina D.S. Young on March 24, 2026. Award $45,000 lump sum through counsel IOLTA. Attorney: Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant PLLC, Washington DC. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01081-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-20 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/24/2026) regarding 49 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (gf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: March 24, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BRIAN BEHRENS, * * Petitioner, * No. 19-1081V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Tyler King, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION1 On July 26, 2019, Brian Behrens (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018). Petitioner alleged that he suffered from adverse effects, including skin disease and scarring from acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (“AGEP”), as a result of a Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (“Hepatitis A/B”) vaccine he received on August 27, 2018. Pet., ECF No. 1. On March 24, 2026, the parties filed a stipulation (attached as Appendix A) in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation ¶ 7, ECF No. 55. Respondent “denies that [P]etitioner’s alleged injury or its residual effects were caused- in-fact by the Hepatitis A/B vaccine, and denies that the Hepatitis A/B vaccine caused [P]etitioner any other injury or [P]etitioner’s current condition.” Id. ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation. See id. ¶ 7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. 1 Because this Decision 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 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. 1 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 2 of 7 The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: (a) A lump sum payment of $45,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Id. ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D.S. Young Herbrina D.S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-01081-UNJ Document 53 Filed 04/20/26 Page 7 of 7 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01081-cl-extra-11313626 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-20 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10846260 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: March 24, 2026 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BRIAN BEHRENS, * * Petitioner, * No. 19-1081V * v. * Special Master Young * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Tyler King, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION 1 On July 26, 2019, Brian Behrens (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018). Petitioner alleged that he suffered from adverse effects, including skin disease and scarring from acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (“AGEP”), as a result of a Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (“Hepatitis A/B”) vaccine he received on August 27, 2018. Pet., ECF No. 1. On March 24, 2026, the parties filed a stipulation (attached as Appendix A) in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation ¶ 7, ECF No. 55. Respondent “denies that [P]etitioner’s alleged injury or its residual effects were caused- in-fact by the Hepatitis A/B vaccine, and denies that the Hepatitis A/B vaccine caused [P]etitioner any other injury or [P]etitioner’s current condition.” Id. ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation. See id. ¶ 7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. 1 Because this Decision 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 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. 1 The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: (a) A lump sum payment of $45,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Id. ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D.S. Young Herbrina D.S. Young Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2