Paul Pothier v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 12-306V Filed: April 12, 2013 Not for Publication

************************************* PAUL POTHIER, *

*

Petitioner, *

* Damages decision based on v. * stipulation; influenza vaccine;

* Guillain-Barré syndrome; Chronic SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Inflammatory Demyelinating AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Polyneuropathy; fees and costs based

* on stipulation Respondent. *

*

************************************* Howard D. Mishkind, Beachwood, OH, for petitioner.

Tara J. Kilfoyle, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

On April 12, 2013, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that he suffered from Guillain- Barré syndrome, or in the alternative Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, following his receipt of influenza vaccine on November 2, 2010. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that petitioner’s Guillain-Barré syndrome, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, or any other injury, was caused in fact by the influenza vaccine. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.

The court finds the terms to be reasonable, hereby adopts the parties’ stipulation, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards:

a. A lump sum of $200,509.63, representing compensation for first year life care expenses ($15,509.63) and compensation for lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimubursable expenses ($185,000.00). The award shall be in the form of a check for $200,509.63 made payable to petitioner; and

b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the stipulation.

The parties have also agreed on an appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case. In accordance with the General Order #9 requirement, petitioner’s counsel asserts that petitioner did not incur any costs to pursue his petition.

Petitioner requests $29,500.92 in attorneys’ fees and costs to which respondent does not object. The undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards $29,500.92, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and the Mishkind Law Firm Co., L.P.A., in the amount of $29,500.92.

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.2 IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 12, 2013 /s/ Laura D. Millman

Laura D. Millman Special Master