United States Court of Federal Claims, 2020

Reaska v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided December 16, 2020 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-145V UNPUBLISHED

RENE REASKA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 16, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Respondent.

Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 29, 2019, Rene Reaska 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 she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) resulting from the adverse effects of the influenza (flu) vaccination she received on September 27, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at November 12, 2020, ¶¶ 1-2.

Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 1, 5; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a GBS Table injury and denies that [P]etitioner’s alleged GBS and its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine. Respondent further denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner any other injury or her current condition.” 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).

Nevertheless, on November 12, 2020, 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 $200,000.00 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.

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