In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
******************** *
RICHARD T. DAHL, by his legal
*
guardian, * No. 13-098V
CARRIE BARTH, mother *
*
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. * Filed: March 24, 2017
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).
*
Respondent. *
******************** *
Kate G. Westad, Larkin Hoffman, et al. Ltd., Minneapolis, MN, for Petitioner;
Linda S. Renzi, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On March 24, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Carrie Barth, as mother and legal guardian of
Richard T. Dahl, on February 5, 2013. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the
influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42
C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which Richard received on November 2, 2011, caused
Richard to suffer Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), and other adverse injuries.
Petitioner further alleges that Richard suffered the residual effects of this injury for
more than six months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or
settlement of a civil action for damages on Richard’s behalf as a result of his
condition.
1
The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused Richard to suffer GBS
or any other injury.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
a. A lump sum of $25,000.00, for reimbursement to the State of
Minnesota Department of Human Services for the Medical Lien,
in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Attn: Britt M. Graupner
Tort Recovery Unit Manager
Benefit Recovery Section
Minnesota Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 64994
St. Paul, MN 55164-0994
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Minnesota
Department of Human Services.
b. A lump sum payment of $248,000.00 in the form of a check
payable to petitioner, as guardian/conservator of Richard Dahl’s
estate.
This amount represents compensation for all damages that would
be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 13-098V according to this decision
and the attached stipulation.2
2
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
2
Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Dan Hoffman, at (202) 357-
6360.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
3
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERA L CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPEC IAL MASTERS
R IC HARD T. DAHL, by his legal guard ian, )
CA RRI E BARTH, mother, ) ECF
) No. 13-98V
Petitioner, ) Special Master Moran
V. )
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AN D HUMAN SE RVI CES, )
)
Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the fo llowing matters:
I. Carri e Barth, as mother and lega l guardi an of Richard T. Dah l, ("'petitioner") filed a
petiti on for vaccine compen sation under the ati onal Vacci ne Injury Compensation Program. 42
U.. C. § 300aa- IO to 34 (the ·'Vaccin e Program ..). The petition seeks compensati on fo r
Richard·s injuries allegedly related to th e seasonal in fluen za ("' Ou ") vaccin e, which vaccine is
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Tab le'"), 42 C.F.R. § I 00.3 (a).
2. Richard received his vaccinati on on November 2, 20 11 .
3. The vaccination was admin istered within th e United States.
4. Petitioner all eges that Richard suffered Guill ai n-Barre Syndrome ("GBS .. ), and other
adverse injuries as a result of the vacci ne, and that Richard experienced the res idual effects of
these injuries fo r more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
fo r damage on Richard·s behalf as a result of hi s cond ition.
6. Respondent denies that Richard suffe red GBS or any other inj ury as the result of hi s
November 2, 20 11 flu vacc ination. and denies th at hi s cu rrent condition is the sequela o f hi s
alleged vaccine injury.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the
issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered award ing the
compensation described in paragraph 8 of thi s Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the terms of this tipulati on. and a fter petitioner has fil ed an election to rece ive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § JOOaa-2 1(a)( I), the Secretary of Hea lth and Hum an Services wil l issue
the fo llowing vaccine compensation payments:
a. A lump sum o f$25. 000.00, fo r reimbursement to th e State of Minnesota
Department of Hum an Services fo r the Medical Li en, in the fo rm of a check
payabl e j ointl y to petitioner and
/\ttn.: Britt M. Graupner
Tort Recovery Unit Manager
Benefit Recovery Sect ion
Minnesota Departm ent of Hum an Services
P.O. Box 64994
St. Paul. MN 55 164-0994
Petitioner agrees to endorse thi s payment to the Minnesota Department of Human
Services.
b. A lum p sum of $248,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, as
guardian/conse rvator of Richard Dahl' s estate.
This amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be
ava ilable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a).
9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case. and after
Petit ioner has fi led both a proper and tim ely electi on to receive compensation pursuant to
42 U.S .C. § 300aa-2 I (a)( I), and an application, the parties wiII submit to furth er proceed in gs
before the spec ial master to award reasonable attorneys· fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
2
I0. Petiti oner and her attorn ey represent that they have identified to respondent al I
known sources of payment for item s or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(g), including State compensation programs. insurance poli cies.
Federal or State health benefits programs (oth er than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. § 1396 el seq.)). or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
11 . Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of thi s Stipulation and any amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- I 5(i), subject to the
ava ilab ility of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipul ate th at, except for any award
for altorneys· fees and lit igation costs. and past unreimbursed expenses. the money provided
pursuant to thi s Stipulation will be used so lely for the benefit of Richard as contemplated by a
strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- l 5(a) and (d), and subj ect to the cond itions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa- I5(g) and (h).
13. Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days o f the date of judgment
will become, duly authorized to serve as guardi an/conservator of Richard Dahl" s estate under the
laws of the State of Minnesota. No payment pursuant to this Stipu lation shal I be made unti I
petitioner provides the Secretary with documen tation establishing her appo intment as
guardian/conservator of Richard· s estate. If petiti oner is not authorized by a court of competent
ju risdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of Richard Dahl at the time a payment
pursuant to thi s tipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to th e party or parties
appoi nted by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of
Richard Dahl upon submi ss ion of written documentation of such appointment to th e Secretary.
3
14. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her
individual capaci ty and as legal guardian/conservator of Richard, on behalf of herself, Richard ,
and Richard' s heirs, executors. admi nistrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably
and unconditi onall y release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health
and Human Serv ices from any and all acti ons or causes of action (including agreements,
judgments, cla im s, damages, loss of services. expenses and all demands of whatever kind or
nature) that have been brought, co uld have been brought, or cou ld be timely brought in the Cou11
of Federal Claim s, und er the Nati onal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §
JOOaa- 10 et seq., on account o f, or in any way grow ing out of, any and all known or unknown.
suspected or unsuspected persona l injuries to or death of Richard resulting from. or alleged to
have resu lted from the flu vaccination ad min istcred to Richard on November 2, 20 I I, as a Ileged
by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 5, 20 13, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition o. l 3-98V and amended on June 2, 20 16.
15. If Richard should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
16. If the special master fai ls to issue a decision in compl ete conformity with the term s
of this Stipul ati on or if the Court of Federal Claim s fa ils to enter judgment in conformity with a
decision that is in complete conformity with th e terms of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidab le at the sole discretion of either party.
17. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claim ed under th e National Childhood Vaccine Inj ury Act of 1986, as amended, except
as otherwi e noted in paragraph 9 above. There is abso lutely no agreement on the part of th e
parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein express ly stated
4
and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in thi s
Stipulation may re flect a com promi se of the parties' respective positions as to li ab ili ty and/or
amount of damages, and fu11 her, that a change in the nature of the injury or conditi on or in the
items of compensati on sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
18. This Stipulati on shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Hea lth and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused Richard to suffer GBS or
any other injury or condition.
19. All rights and obli gations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equa lly to petiti oner_.
heirs, executors. admini strators, successors, and/or ass igns as legal guard ian/conscrvator of
Richard Dahl.
END OF STIPULATION
5
Respectfully submitted,
Legal Guardian ofRTCHARD DAHL
ATTORNEY OF llECOllD F01
PF,TJTIONim:
Tl RINE TI. REEVES
Deputy Director
To1is Branch
8300 Norman Center Drive, Suite I 000 Civil Division
Minneapolis, MN 55437- 1060 U.S. Department of Justice
(952) 896-3227 P.O. Dox 146
Benjamin Franklin Stu!ion
Washington, DC 20044-0 I 46
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDl£NT:
,M.D.
~do.A 2.??:) ·
LINDA S. RENZI
Director, Division orinjury Compensation Senior Trial Counsel
Programs (DJCP) To1is Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division
I lea Ith Resources and Services Administration U.S. Department of.Justice
U.S. Departmelll of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Purklawn Building, Mail Slop 08N I46B Washington, DC 20044-01 46
Rockville, Ml) 20857 (202) 616-4133
s
Dahl v. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Combined Opinion