VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01744 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01744 Petitioner: Gary J. Hudeck Filed: 2020-08-28 Decided: 2020-12-14 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-03-21 Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 354797 AI-assisted case summary: Gary J. Hudeck filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on March 21, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Mr. Hudeck was entitled to compensation. The respondent's Rule 4(c) report indicated that Mr. Hudeck satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, which affords a presumption of causation for GBS occurring between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination, provided there is no apparent alternative cause. A ruling on entitlement was issued on August 28, 2020, finding Mr. Hudeck entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on November 9, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation. The parties agreed to an award of $225,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, and an additional $129,797.15 to satisfy a State of Michigan Medicaid lien. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding these amounts on December 14, 2020, concluding the case. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01744-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-09-30 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/28/2020) regarding 31 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01744-UNJ Document 34 Filed 09/30/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1744V UNPUBLISHED GARY J. HUDECK, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 28, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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. Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester, NY, for petitioner. Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On November 12, 2019, Gary Hudeck 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 that he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a result of his March 21, 2017 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 24, 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 indicates that 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-01744-UNJ Document 34 Filed 09/30/20 Page 2 of 2 [m]edical personnel at the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Department of Health and Human Services (DICP), have reviewed the petition and medical records filed in the case. It is respondent’s position that petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the revised Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”), 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. 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15). Id. at 7. 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-01744-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-12-14 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/10/2020) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01744-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/14/20 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1744V UNPUBLISHED GARY J. HUDECK, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 10, 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. Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester, NY, for petitioner. Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On November 12, 2019, Gary J. Hudeck 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 Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on March 21, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 28, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On November 9, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $225,000.00 in actual pain and suffering and funds to satisfy a State of Michigan Medicaid lien in the amount of $129,797.15. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 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-01744-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/14/20 Page 2 of 5 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 the following compensation: 1) A lump sum payment of $225,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and 2) A lump sum payment of $129,797.15, representing compensation for satisfaction of the State of Michigan Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and to: OPTUMINSIGHT, INC. L-182643 GW2W10 5555 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, OH 43231 Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to OPTUMINSIGHT, INC. for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien. 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-01744-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/14/20 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS GARY J. HUDECK, Petitioner, No. 19-1744V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On November 12, 2019, Gary J. Hudeck (“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”), alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to him on March 21, 2017. Petition (“Pet.”) at 1. On August 24, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation on August 28, 2020. ECF No. 30; ECF No. 31. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that Gary J. Hudeck should be awarded $225,000.00 in actual pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:19-vv-01744-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/14/20 Page 4 of 5 B. Medicaid Lien Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy a State of Michigan Medicaid lien in the amount of $129,797.15, which represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Michigan may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Michigan has made to or on behalf of petitioner from the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about March 21, 2017, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 petitioner be made through two lump sum payments as described below: 1) A lump sum payment of $225,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 2) A lump sum payment of $129,797.15, representing compensation for satisfaction of the State of Michigan Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and to: OPTUMINSIGHT, INC. L-182643 GW2W10 5555 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, OH 43231 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-01744-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/14/20 Page 5 of 5 Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to OPTUMINSIGHT, INC. for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien. 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/ Alexa Roggenkamp ALEXA ROGGENKAMP Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-4179 alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov DATED: November 9, 2020 3