In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-648V
Filed: May 14, 2015
Unpublished
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DARRELL MAUKONEN, *
*
Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;
* Influenza Vaccine or Flu Vaccine;
* Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
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Amber Wilson, Esq., Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, (DC) Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Jennifer Reynaud, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On July 23, 2014, Darrell Maukonen filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 [the
“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome
(GBS) resulting from the influenza vaccine he received on October 1, 2013. Petition at
1; Stipulation, filed May 14, 2015, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced
the residual effects of GBS for more than six months, has filed no other action for this
injury, and has received no prior award or settlement. Petition, ¶¶ 13, 15-16;
Stipulation, ¶¶ 4-5. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccination caused
petitioner’s GBS or any other injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post it 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), 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.
2National 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. Stipulation, ¶ 7. On
May 14, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and
describing the settlement terms.
Respondent agrees to pay petitioner a lump sum of $175,000.00 in the form of a
check payable to petitioner. Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for
all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.
I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the
amount and on the terms set forth therein. 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
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing
the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
2
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