LISA HAMILTON-FIELDMAN, Special Master.
On August 5, 2014, Amy L. Schipporiet
On January 26, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Stipulation, ECF No. 58. Respondent denies that the HPV, Hepatitis A, or Tdap vaccines caused, and/or significantly aggravated, Petitioner's condition or any other injury. However, 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 stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
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
The parlies hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program") on August 5, 2014. and an amended petition on June 23, 2015. The petition and the amended petition both seek compensation for injuries allegedly related to M.R.R.'s receipt of Human Papillomavirus ("HPV") and Hepatitis A vaccines, which vaccines are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"). 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. M.R.R. received her first HPV and Hepatitis A vaccines on August 15. 2011, and her second HPV and Hepatitis A vaccines on July 26, 2012. M.R.R. also received a Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine on July 26, 2012.
3. These vaccines were administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that M.R.R.'s HPV and Hepatitis A vaccines administered on August 15, 2011 and July 26,2012 caused her to develop, and/or significantly aggravated, her idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura ("ITP").
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on behalf of M.R.R. as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that M.R.R.'s ITP, or any other condition, was caused-in-fact and/or significantly aggravated by her HPV and/or Hepatitis A vaccines administered on August 15, 2011, and/or July 26, 2012, and/or her Tdap vaccine administered on July 26,2012.
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:
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 her 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 el seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basts.
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 M.R.R. as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-I5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h).
13. Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardian/conservator of M.R.R.'s estate under the laws of the State of Nebraska. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her appointment as guardian/conservator of M.R.R.'s estate. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of M.R.R. 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 M.R.R. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.
14. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity and as legal representative of M.R.R., on behalf of herself, M.R.R., and her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does 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 M.R.R. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the Hepatitis A and/or HPV vaccinations administered on August 15, 2011, and/or July 26, 2012, and/or a Tdap vaccine administered on July 26, 2012, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 5,2014, and an amended petition filed on June 23, 2015, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 14-707V.
15. If M.R.R. should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of cither 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 M.R.R.'s ITP, or any other condition, was causeditvfact, and/or significantly aggravated, by her HPV and/or Hepatitis A vaccines administered on August 15,2011, and/or July 26, 2012, and/or her Tdap vaccine administered on July 26,2012.
19. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representatives of M.R.R.