Rosseter v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2021 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0014V
UNPUBLISHED
FRANK ROSSETER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: November 16, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
Syndrome (GBS)
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 6, 2020, Frank Rosseter 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 injuries, including Guillain-Barré
Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 27,
2017. Petition at Preamble; Stipulation, filed at November 15, 2021, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner
further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
Petition at 1; Stipulation at ¶ 4. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table
injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other injury; and
further denies that his current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.”
Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
Nevertheless, on November 15, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision 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 $100,000.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
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 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
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
FRANK ROSSETER,
Petitioner, No. 20-14V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
V. SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Frank Rosseter, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The
petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza
("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. §
100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about October 27, 2017.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained the onset of Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("OBS") within
the Table time period following the flu immunization he received on or about October 27, 2017,
and further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition.
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6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury; and further denies that his current
disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the
issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the
compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment 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-2 l(a)(l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the
following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
representing compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U .S.C.
§ 300aa-15(a).
9. 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-2l(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.
I 0. Petitioner and his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known
sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42
U .S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State
health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U .S.C. § 1396 et
seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a prepaid basis.
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11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(i), subject to the
availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. 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-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-l 5(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual
capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and 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 United
States Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-10 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 flu vaccination administered on or about October 27, 2017, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 6, 2020, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-14V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
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15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confonnity with the tenns of
this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in
confonnity with a decision that is in complete confonnity with the tenns of this Stipulation, then
the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
16. 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 9 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 of the injury or condition or in the
items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. This 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 alleged GBS or
any other injury or any of his current disabilities.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
Page 4 of 5
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
``
FRANK ROSSETER
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER: ;(1 - AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
~
LAW OFFICES OF LEAH V. DURANT, PLLC
HEATHERL. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
1717 K Street, NW Torts Branch
Suite 900 Civil Division
Washington, D.C. 20006 U. S. Department of Justice
(202) 775-9200 P. O.Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
.. .. W~.``Ql1..P-G-._29.Q..4±01.4§. _____ .. . .
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF A'ITORNEYOFRECORDFOR
THE SECRETARY OF BEALm AND RESPONDENT:
HUMAN SERVICES:
t-t~r.3~tt..-\
~ ~ L ,p~
TAMARA OVERBY MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKl
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division
Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice
Health Resources and Services P.O. Bo~ 146
Administration Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health Washington, D.C. 20044~0146
and Hwnan Services (Tel): 202-305-0660
5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl 46:Q mallori.b.openchowski@usdoj.gov
Rockville, l\ID 20857
Dated: 1, j\s f z.o-z,.., J
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