Cating v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 12-535V Filed: April 7, 2014 (not to be published) ************************ TYRELLE CATING, * * Petitioner, * Stipulation; Flu; GBS v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************ Isaiah Kalinowski, Esq., Maglio, Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC for petitioner. Glenn MacLeod, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Gowen, Special Master: Tyrelle Cating [“petitioner”] filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on August 22, 2012. Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome [“GBS”] that was caused in fact by a flu vaccination she received on or about October 28, 2009 . See Stipulation, filed Apr. 7, 2014, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Further, petitioner alleges that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at para. 12. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged GBS or any other injury, and further denies that her current disabilities are a sequel of a vaccine-related injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in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)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete 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 (2006). Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On April 7, 2014, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. Respondent agrees to pay petitioner: (a) A lump sum of $175,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Tyrelle Cating. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a). The special master adopts the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2