VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01308 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01308 Petitioner: Jonathan Jarog Filed: 2022-02-18 Decided: 2022-04-22 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-11-25 Condition: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 206504 AI-assisted case summary: Jonathan Jarog filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 25, 2019. The respondent conceded that Mr. Jarog was entitled to compensation, as his condition, GBS, is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table and the onset occurred within the specified timeframe with no apparent alternative cause. The parties subsequently entered into a joint stipulation for damages. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Mr. Jarog a lump sum of $206,504.71 and an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract. This compensation covers all items of damages available under the program. The stipulation also addressed the process for awarding attorneys' fees and costs, and released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further liability related to this vaccine administration. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01308-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-03-21 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/18/2022) regarding 26 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 31 Filed 03/21/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1308V UNPUBLISHED JONATHAN JAROG, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 18, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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. Kristina Green, Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Julia Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 3, 2021, Jonathan Jarog 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 sustained a Table injury of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) resulting from the administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 25, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 17, 2022, 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, it is Respondent’s position that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford a 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 31 Filed 03/21/22 Page 2 of 2 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 other apparent alternative cause. Id. at 4-5. 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_21-vv-01308-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-04-22 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/22/2022) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1308V UNPUBLISHED JONATHAN JAROG, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 22, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent. Kristina Green, Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Julia Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On May 3, 2021, Jonathan Jarog 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-Barré Syndrome (GBS) resulting from the administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 25, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed on March 22, 2022, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. In the attached joint stipulation, filed on March 22, 2022, Respondent avers “[t]here is not a preponderance of the evidence demonstrating that [P]etitioner’s GBS and its residual effects were due to a factor unrelated to his November 25, 2019 flu vaccine.” Stipulation at ¶ 5. The stipulation further states that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Id. at ¶ 7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 2 of 8 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: 1. A lump sum of $206,504.71 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and 2. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, paid to the life insurance company3 from which the annuity will be purchased (the “Life Insurance Company”). Stipulation at ¶¶ 8-11. These amounts represent compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. at ¶ 19. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 The requirements for the annuity contract, annuity payments, and the Life Insurance Company are described in detail at ¶¶ 9-10 of the Stipulation. 4 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 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 3 of 8 IN THE UNITED ST AT ES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JONATHAN JAROO, Petitioner, No. 21-l 308V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Jonathan Jarog ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oto 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for an injury allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I 00.3(a). 2. On November 25, 2019, petitioner received a flu vaccine. 3. The vaccine was administered in the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Ou ilia in-Barre Syndrome ("OBS") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects his OBS for more than six months. 5. There is not a preponderance of the evidence demonstrating that petitioner's OBS and its residual effects were due to a factor unrelated to his November 25, 2019 flu vaccine. 6. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil I of6 Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 4 of 8 action for damages as a result of his OBS and residual effects. 7. Accordingly, petitioner is entitled to compensation under the terms of the Vaccine Program for his OBS. Therefore, a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)(]), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: a. A lump sum of $206,504.71, in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph I 0 below, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased (the "Life Insurance Company"). 9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000.00 capital and surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations" a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s; b. Moody's Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa 1, or Aaa; c. Standard and Poor's Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA; d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA. 1O . The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity contract from the Life Insurance Company for the benefit of petitioner, pursuant to which the Life Insurance Company will agree to make payments as follows: beginning as soon as practicable 2of6 Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 5 of 8 after the date ofj udgment, $304.17 per month for IO years life contingent. Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance Company only so long as petitioner is alive at the time that a particular payment is due. Written notice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life Insurance Company shall be provided within twenty (20) days of petitioner's death. 11. The annuity contract will be owned solely and exclusively by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and will be purchased as soon as practicable following the entry of a judgment in conformity with this Stipulation. The parties stipulate and agree that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are not responsible for the payment of any sums other than the amounts set forth in paragraph 8 herein and the amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 12 herein, and that they do not guarantee or insure any of the future annuity payments. Upon the purchase of the annuity contract, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are released from any and all obligations with respect to future annuity payments. 12. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U .S.C. § 300aa-2 I (a)(l) and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. 13. Petitioner and his attorney representthat they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (4 2 U. S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 3 of6 Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 6 of 8 14. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 15. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g) and (h). 16. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 12, petitioner, in his individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U. S.C. § 300aa-l 0 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from the vaccine administered on November 25, 2019, as alleged in a Petition filed on May 3, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 2 l-1308V. 17. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 18. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in 4 of6 Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 7 of 8 conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 19. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 12 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature oft he injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 20. The Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's injury or any other injury or his current condition; however, petitioner has satisfied the Table criteria to establish entitlement to compensation. 2 I . Petitioner hereby authorizes respondent to disclose documents filed by petitioner in this case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056 22. All rights and obligations of petitioner shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION 5 of6 Case 1:21-vv-01308-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/22/22 Page 8 of 8 Respectfully submined, PETITIONER: ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: KK :T:: :mbcis.G&RSEEcNh wanz HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director 60 W. Randolph Street. 4th Floor Torts Branch Chicago. IL 6060 I Civil Division (312) 782-2525 ext. 339 U.S. Department of Justice kgreen@kjs-law.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND H lJMAN SERVICES: }v, ,.._ rt George R. Grimes - Olgltally signed 17, George R. ~ Grifflfl -S 14 S14 Oau:: 2022.Dl.10 16~7:54-05'00' by&~U~ CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH JULIA M. COLLISON .. Director. Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 146B (202) 305-0102 Rockville, MD 20857 julia.collison@usdoj.gov Dated: .1>.3.~22.. - .. - 6of6