Criswell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 13-74V
(E-Filed: August 8, 2014)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
DELORES CRISWELL, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * Special Master
* Hamilton-Fieldman
v. *
* Influenza Vaccine; Guillain-Barrè
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * syndrome; Chronic Inflammatory
HUMAN SERVICES, * Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
* Decision; Stipulation.
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Isaiah R. Kalinowski, Maglio, Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Debra A. Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 29, 2013, Petitioner, Delores Criswell, filed a petition seeking
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (Athe Vaccine
Program@). Petitioner alleged that she suffered Guillain-Barrè syndrome (“GBS”) and/or
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”), as a result of receiving
an influenza vaccination on September 22, 2011.2
1
Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s
action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States
Court of Federal Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002,
Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. §
3501 note (2006)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 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.” Otherwise, “the entire” decision will be available to
the public. Id.
2
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755,
1
Respondent denies that Petitioner’s influenza vaccination caused his GBS, CIDP,
and/or any other injury. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above stated
positions, agreed in a Stipulation, filed August 7, 2014, (“Stipulation”) that the issues
before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner
compensation.
The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of
the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The stipulation awards:
A lump sum of $40,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner,
representing all damages available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a) to which
Petitioner would be entitled.
Stipulation ¶ 8(a)
The undersigned approves the requested amounts 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 herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman
Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman
Special Master
codified as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. ' 300aa-10-' 300aa-34 (West 1991 & Supp. 2002)
(Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the
Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. ' 300aa.
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