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CURRY v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 13-432V. (2014)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20140429b27 Visitors: 4
Filed: Apr. 07, 2014
Latest Update: Apr. 07, 2014
Summary: DECISION 1 NORA BETH DORSEY, Special Master. On June 28, 2013, Robert M. Curry ("petitioner") filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 42 U.S.C. 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleges that he received a Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis vaccine ("DTaP") on June 14, 2010, and thereafter suffered an allergic autoimmune reaction which manifested in the form of persistent muscular and joint pain and disability which was caused in fact by the vac
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DECISION1

NORA BETH DORSEY, Special Master.

On June 28, 2013, Robert M. Curry ("petitioner") filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleges that he received a Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular-Pertussis vaccine ("DTaP") on June 14, 2010, and thereafter suffered an allergic autoimmune reaction which manifested in the form of persistent muscular and joint pain and disability which was caused in fact by the vaccination. See Petition at 1.

On April 4, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

Respondent denies that the DTaP vaccine caused petitioner's alleged muscle and joint pain, any other injury, or his current disabilities. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. 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 stipulated that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

A lump sum of $130,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation ¶ 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 the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties' stipulation.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

I. Robert M. Curry, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §3000aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitionor's receipt of the Diphtheria-Tetauns-acellular Pertussis ("DTaP"), which is contained in the Vaccine injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received his DTaP immunization on June 14, 2010.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the DTaP vaccine caused his alleged muscle and joint pain.

5 Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of 6 civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition.

6. Respondent denies that the DTaP vaccine caused petitioner's alleged muscle and joint pain, any other injury, or his current disabilities.

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 awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.

8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and. after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 300aa-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the Following vaccine-compensation payment:

A lump sum of $130,000.00 in the form of a deck payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a).

9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition

10. Petitioner and his attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)) or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

11. Payments trade pursuant to paragraphs 8 acid 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for arty award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.15(g) and (h)

13. In return for the payment described in paragaph 8 and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators; successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Hurnatt Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, datnages, loss of services. expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. On account of or in any way growing out of any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to lave resulted from, the DTaP vaccination administered on June 14, 2010, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation tiled on or about June 28, 2013, in the United States Court of Federal. Claims as petition 432V,

14. If petitioner 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.

15. If the special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the `parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.

16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and Clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement,

17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that DTaP vaccine caused petitioner's alleged muscle and joint pain, any other injury, or his current disabilities.

18. All rights and Obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioners heirs, executors; administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

FootNotes


1. Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned's action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 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)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction "of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy." Vaccine Rule 18(b).
2. 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, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (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.
3. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties' joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.
Source:  Leagle

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