STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

MIAKALA MARTIN, on behalf of and as parent and natural guardian of KALEB DICKERSON, a minor,

Petitioner,

vs.

FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION,

Case No. 14-3929N

Respondent,

and

ORANGE PARK MEDICAL CENTER, INC., d/b/a ORANGE PARK MEDICAL CENTER,

Intervenor.

/

FINAL ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION FOR ENTRY OF AWARD

This cause came on for consideration pursuant to sections

766.304 and 766.305(7), Florida Statutes, upon the Stipulation and Joint Petition for Compensation of Claim Arising out of Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Pursuant to Chapter 766, Florida Statutes (Stipulation and Joint Petition), filed with the Division of Administrative Hearings on March 26, 2015, for the entry of an order approving the resolution of a claim for compensation benefits filed in accordance with the provisions of

chapter 766 and a resolution of the exclusive remedy otherwise available as outlined in chapter 766.

By the terms of their stipulation, Petitioner, Miakala Martin, as parent and natural guardian of Kaleb Dickerson, a minor; Respondent, the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA); and Orange Park Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Orange Park Medical Center, have agreed that Miakala Martin is the parent and legal guardian of Kaleb Dickerson (Kaleb), a minor; that Kaleb was born a live infant on or about January 7, 2014, at Orange Park Medical Center, a “hospital” as defined by section 766.302(6) located in Orange Park, Florida; and that Kaleb’s birth weight exceeded 2,500 grams. The Parties have further agreed that LaRae Coleman Brown, M.D., provided obstetrical services at Kaleb's delivery and was a “participating physician” in the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan, as defined by section 766.302(7). The Parties have agreed that Kaleb suffered a “birth-related neurological injury,” as that term is defined by section 766.302(2), which was the sole and proximate cause of Kaleb's permanent and substantial mental and physical impairments.

It is ORDERED:

1. The Stipulation and Joint Petition filed on March 26, 2015, is hereby approved, and the Parties are directed to comply with the provisions of the Stipulation and Joint Petition.

   
   

2. Petitioner, Miakala Martin, as the parent and legal guardian of Kaleb Dickerson, a minor, is awarded one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), pursuant to section 766.31(1)(b)1., to be paid as periodic payments to the parent; payment of benefits up to and including the effective date of the Joint Stipulation and Petition pursuant to section 766.31(1)(a), subject to the provisions of paragraph 19 of the Stipulation and Joint Petition; and payments of future expenses as incurred.

3. NICA will reimburse David R. Best, Esquire, attorney for Petitioner, an agreed upon attorney’s fee of $10,000.00 and expenses of $502.26, totaling $10,502.26 in full for services rendered in the filing of this claim.

4. Upon the payment of the award of $100,000.00, past benefit/expenses, and $10,502.26 for attorney’s fees and costs, the claims of Petitioner shall be deemed fully satisfied and extinguished, except for Respondent's continuing obligation under section 766.31(2) to pay future expenses as incurred.

5. The Division of Administrative Hearings retains jurisdiction over this matter to resolve any disputes, should they arise, regarding the parties’ compliance with the terms of this Order.

DONE AND ORDERED this 31st day of March, 2015, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

S

BARBARA J. STAROS

Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building

1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

(850) 488-9675

Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us

Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 31st day of March, 2015.

COPIES FURNISHED:

(via certified mail)

Kenney Shipley, Executive Director Florida Birth Related Neurological

Injury Compensation Association

Stoudemire and Stone, P.A.

245 Riverside Avenue, Suite 400 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 (eServed)

(Certified Mail No. 7014 2120 0003 1053 1323)

Amie Rice, Investigation Manager Consumer Services Unit Department of Health

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-75 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3275

(Certified Mail No. 7014 2120 0003 1053 1330)

Elizabeth Dudek, Secretary Health Quality Assurance

Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 3

Tallahassee, Florida 32308

(Certified Mail No. 7014 2120 0003 1053 1347)

LaRae Coleman Brown, M.D. 2627 Riverside Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32204

(Certified Mail No. 7014 2120 0003 1053 1354)

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW

Review of a final order of an administrative law judge shall be by appeal to the District Court of Appeal pursuant to section 766.311(1), Florida Statutes. Review proceedings are governed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such proceedings are commenced by filing the original notice of administrative appeal with the agency clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings within 30 days of rendition of the order to be reviewed, and a copy, accompanied by filing fees prescribed by law, with the clerk of the appropriate District Court of Appeal. See

§ 766.311(1), Fla. Stat., and Fla. Birth-Related Neurological Injury Comp. Ass'n v. Carreras, 598 So. 2d 299 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992).

Docket for Case No: 14-003929N

Orders for Case No: 14-003929N