Rebelo v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: September 19, 2025 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * JOANNE REBELO, * UNPUBLISHED * Petitioner, * No. 20-618V * v. * Special Master Dorsey * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation; Influenza AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse Myelitis * (“TM”).

Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION 1 On May 18, 2020, Joanne Rebelo (“Petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine Injury Program 2 alleging that she developed transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on December 4, 2017. Petition at Preamble (ECF No. 1).

On September 19, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 137). Respondent denies that Petitioner’s alleged TM or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine and denies that the flu Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.

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, codified as amended, U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018) (“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.

vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or Petitioner’s current condition. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. 3 The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: (1) A lump sum of $65,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.

This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8.

The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.

Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation. 4 IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora B. Dorsey Nora B. Dorsey Special Master

The Vinesign form has been omitted.

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

JOANNE REBELO, ) ) Petitioner, ) V. ) No. 20-618V ) Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) ECF SERVICES, � Respondent. ) ________________ ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Joanne Rebelo, petitioner, 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 the flu vaccination on December 4, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Transverse Myelitis ("TM") that was caused-in­ fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner experienced the residual effects of the alleged 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 petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury.