Not for Publication
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
LAURA D. MILLMAN, Special Master.
On October 17, 2018, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioners allege, on behalf of their son, that C.E. suffered from transverse myelitis as a result of his receipt of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis ("DTaP"), inactivated poliovirus ("IPV"), haemophilus influenza B ("Hib"), rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on or about September 28, 2015. They further allege that C.E. experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that the DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines caused C.E. to suffer transverse myelitis or any other injury. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.
The undersigned finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable. The court hereby adopts the parties' said stipulation, attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set for therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards:
a. a lump sum of $150,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as guardian/conservator of C.E.'s estate;
b. a lump sum of $1,547.89, in the form of a check payable to petitioners; and
c. a lump sum of $150.58, representing reimbursement of the State of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of C.E. in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioners and
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Case #280431471
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8486
These amounts represent 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 of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. On behalf of their son, C.E., petitioners filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to C.E,'s receipt of the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis ("DTaP"), inactivated poliovirus ("IPV"), haemophilus influenza B ("Hib"), rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, which vaccines are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. C.E. received DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on or about September 28, 2015,
3. The vaccines were administered within the United States,
4. Petitioners allege that C.E. suffered transverse myelitis as a result of the DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioners represent that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on behalf of C.E. as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that the DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines administered on or about September 28, 2015 caused C.E.'s alleged transverse myelitis, or any other injury, or his current condition.
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 petitioners have 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 payments:
a. A lump sum of $150,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as guardian/conservator of C.E.'s estate;
b. A lump sum of $1,547.89, in the form of a check payable to petitioners; and
c. A lump sum of $150.58, which amount represents reimbursement of a lien for services rendered on behalf of C.E., in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioners and
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Case #280431471
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 171.05-8486
Petitioners agree to endorse this check to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
These amounts represent 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 petitioners have 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. Petitioners and their attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 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 any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of C.E. 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. Petitioners represent that they presently are, or within 90 days of the date of judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardians/conservators of C.E.'s estate under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing their appointment as guardians/conservators of C.E.'s estate. If petitioners are not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardians/conservators of the estate of C.E. at the time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of C.E. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.
14. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioners, in their individual capacities and as legal representatives of C.E., and on behalf of themselves, C.E, and C.E.'s heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, do forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, 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 C.E. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines administered on or about September 28, 2015, as alleged by petitioners in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 16, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-1152V.
15. If C.E. 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 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.
17. 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 as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above, 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.
18. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the DTaP, IPV, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumocoecal conjugate vaccines caused C.E.'s alleged transverse myelitis, or any other injury, or his current condition.
19. All rights and obligations of petitioners hereunder shall apply equally to petitioners' heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representatives of C.E.
