STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

JILL COTTON and JOEL COTTON, as parents ) and natural guardians of NOAH AUBREY ) JAMES COTTON, a minor, )

)

Petitioners, )

)

vs. ) Case No. 99-3459N

) FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL ) INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION, )

)

Respondent. )

)

FINAL ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION AND JOINT PETITION FOR COMPENSATION OF CLAIM ARISING OUT OF FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 766, FLORIDA STATUTES

This cause came on to be heard pursuant to Section 766.304, Florida Statutes, upon the stipulation and joint petition of the parties, filed September 1, 1999, for the entry of an order approving the resolution of a formal claim for compensation benefits heretofore filed in this cause in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 766, Florida Statutes, and a resolution of the exclusive remedy otherwise available as outlined in

Chapter 766, Florida Statutes.

By the terms of their stipulation, the parties have agreed that Petitioners, Jill Cotton and Joel Cotton, are the parents and natural guardians of Noah Aubrey James Cotton (Noah), a minor; that Noah was born a live infant on July 24, 1999, at Sacred Heart Hospital, a hospital located in Pensacola, Florida; and that his birth weight was in excess of 2,500 grams. The

parties have further agreed that the physician delivering obstetrical services during the birth of Noah was Emilio Albert Antonetti, M.D., who was, at all times material hereto, a participating physician in the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan, as defined by Section 766.302(7), Florida Statutes. Finally, by their stipulation, the parties have agreed that Noah suffered a "birth-related neurological injury," as that term is defined by Section 766.302(2), Florida Statutes.

After due consideration of the interests of all parties, and being otherwise fully advised in the premises, it is

ORDERED that:

1. The stipulation of the parties, filed of record September 1, 1999, is hereby approved, and the parties are directed to comply with the provisions thereof.

2. Petitioners, Jill Cotton and Joel Cotton, as the parents and natural guardians of Noah Aubrey James Cotton, a minor, are accorded a lump sum award of One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), to be disbursed in accordance with the terms of the parties' stipulation.

3. Upon payment of the lump sum award of One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to the parents (claimants), and payment of past expenses, the claims of Petitioners (claimants) shall be deemed fully satisfied and extinguished, except to the extent of Respondent's continuing obligation under the provisions

   of Section 766.31, Florida Statutes, to pay future expenses as incurred.

4. The Division of Administrative Hearings retains jurisdiction over this matter to resolve any dispute as to the interpretation of any provision of the parties' stipulation and to resolve any disputes, should they arise, regarding the parties' compliance with the terms of such stipulation.

DONE AND ORDERED this 2nd day of September, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

WILLIAM J. KENDRICK

Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building

1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

(850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675

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

Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of September, 1999.

COPIES FURNISHED:

(By certified mail)

Jill and Joel Cotton 1945 Nicole Street

Pensacola, Florida 32507

Lynn Larson, Executive Director Florida Birth-Related Neurological

Injury Compensation Association Post Office Box 14567 Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4567

Emilio Albert Antonetti, M.D.

5149 North Ninth Avenue, Suite 210

Pensacola, Florida 32504

Sacred Heart Hospital Legal Department

Post Office Box 2728 Pensacola, Florida 32513

Ms. Charlene Willoughby

Agency for Health Care Administration Consumer Services Unit

Post Office Box 14000 Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Daniel Y. Sumner, General Counsel Department of Insurance

The Capitol, Lower Level 26 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW

A party who is adversely affected by this final order is entitled to judicial review pursuant to Sections 120.68 and 766.311, Florida Statutes. Review proceedings are governed by the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Such proceedings are commenced by filing one copy of a Notice of Appeal with the Agency Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings and a second copy, accompanied by filing fees prescribed by law, with the appropriate District Court of Appeal. See Section 120.68(2), Florida Statutes, and Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association v. Carreras, 598 So. 2d 299 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992). The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of rendition of the order to be reviewed.

================================================================= NICA STIPULATION

=================================================================

STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

CLAIMANT: JILL RENEE COTTON AND JOEL COTTON

On behalf of and as parents and natural guardians of NOAH COTTON, a minor,

ASSOCIATION: FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION

RESPONDENTS: FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION, and ANY AND ALL ADDITIONAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN INVOLVED IN THE MEDICAL TREATMENT OF THE INJURED PARTY

DATE OF INJURY: 07 /24/1999

DOAH CASE #: 99-3459N

STIPULATION AND JOINT PETITION FOR COMPENSATION OF CLAIM ARISING OUT OF FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 766, FLORIDA STATUTES

The Claimant and the Association (Collectively the "Parties") hereby jointly petition for entry of an Order by the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings approving this Stipulation and Joint Petition for Compensation (the "Stipulation"). The parties hereby stipulate that the facts contained herein are true and shall be considered as established by competent, substantial evidence before the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings:

1. NOAH COTTON, (the "Injured Party"), incurred an Injury as that term is defined by Section 766.302(2), Florida Statutes, on or about 07/24/1999. The Injury that the Injured Party incurred was the sole and proximate cause of his current medical condition. The Injury occurred in Escambia County, Florida and falls within the jurisdiction of the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings.

2. JILL RENEE COTTON and JOEL COTTON (the "Claimant"), is/are the parent(s) (or legal Guardian) of the Injured Party, and is the Claimant as defined by Section 766.302(3), Florida Statutes.

   
   

3. SACRED HEART is the Hospital where the injury was incurred on 07/24/1999, as defined by Florida Statutes, Section 766.302(6).

   
   

4. DR. EMILIO ALBERT ANTONETTI is a participating physician as defined in Florida Statutes, Section 766.302(7).

   
   

5. The Claimant has filed a petition under Section 766.305, Florida Statutes, seeking compensation from the Association, and that petition is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety, including all attachments. Any reference made within this document to the Association encompasses, where appropriate, the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan which the Association administers.

   
   

6. The Claimant, the Association on behalf of itself, and all Respondents, known or unknown, agree that the aforementioned Injury comes within the jurisdiction of the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings and is governed by Section 766.301, et. seq., Florida Statutes.

   
   

7. The Claimant and the Association agree that the rights and remedies granted by this plan on account of the Injury shall exclude all other rights and remedies of such infant, his parents or next of kin at common law or otherwise, against any person or entity directly or indirectly involved with the labor, delivery or resuscitation during which time the Injury occurred, arising out of or related to a medical malpractice claim with respect to such injuries and shall preclude any claim for medical malpractice against any person or entity.

   
   

8. The Claimant and the Association hereby agree as follows:

   
   

   1. The Claimant shall receive from the Association $100,000. The parents plan to use the money to satisfy existing debts, purchase a vehicle, buy a home and pay the expenses associated with a home purchase. This payment is authorized pursuant to Section 766.3 l(l)(b), Florida Statutes.

   2. The Association will pay all benefits, past and future, as authorized by Section 766.31, Florida Statutes.

      
      

9. The Claimant further agrees that payments, including future payments as outlined in Paragraph 11, agreed to herein above by the terms and provision of the Stipulation, is a full, complete and absolute discharge of any and all responsibility and liability, the Respondents, or the Association, may have to the Claimant in their official and individual capacity as the parent(s) of the Injured Party. The Claimant further acknowledges that payment in full now and in the future as claims arise as provided herein above, shall result in a full and complete discharge as to any and all liability of the Respondents, or the Association, which they may have to any other relatives of the Injured Party.

   
   

10. The Claimant further agrees that there is no evidence of bad faith, malicious purpose or willful and wanton disregard of human rights, safety, or property on the part of any of the parties or of any person or entity mentioned within this Stipulation that would otherwise support a civil action as provided in Section 766.303(2), Florida Statutes. The Claimant also acknowledges that no civil suit has been filed, nor will be filed and if a suit or notice of intent has been filed and/or served it will hereby be dismissed upon the executing of this agreement and payment by the Association as specified in Paragraph 8 with prejudice by motion of the Claimant, against the Respondents or the Association or any other person or entity either known or unknown and so named as a result of the Injury sustained by the Injured Party. Nothing herein shall preclude the Claimant from assisting the Department of Professional Regulation in investigation or discipline of the physicians involved in the care of, or the birth of, the Injured Party.

    
    

11. The Parties agree that the issues of the actual expenses for medically necessary and reasonable medical and hospital, habilitative and training, residential and custodial care and service, for medically necessary drugs, special equipment and facilities, and for related travel as per Florida Statute 766.31, may be determined by the Hearing Officer if a dispute arises regarding the same. The Association is not aware of any specific disputes regarding the services being provided to BABY BOY COTTON. Further, the Claimant represents and acknowledges to the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings that they understand that the Petition which has been filed seeking compensation from the Association is hereby deemed to be satisfied in its entirety, except to the extent provided as it pertains to the payment of medical expenses

    (as listed above) as authorized by Section 766.31, Florida Statutes.

    
    

12. The parties to this Stipulation agree that the order approving this stipulation, if such order is entered, shall not be appealed.

    
    

13. It is understood by and between the parties that if this Stipulation is not approved by the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings, this Stipulation will be null, void and of no effect. It is stipulated and agreed by and between the parties that this Stipulation shall be presented to the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings for his consideration and for entry of a proper Order of approval without the necessity of formal notice and as such, such notice hereby expressly waived.

    
    

14. It is understood and agreed that when the Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings approves this Stipulation, that this Stipulation shall not be subject to modification or change, in any way, without the express written consent of the parties to this Stipulation unless so ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction for good cause.

    
    

15. References made in this Stipulation to the "parties" or all "parties" shall be deemed to include the Claimant in their capacity as parents and legal guardians of the injured party, the Respondents and the Association and any and all medical providers involved in the birth of the Injured Party.

    
    

16. In order for the Association to carry out its responsibility as provided in this Stipulation, the Claimant shall provide within thirty (30) days of the date of approval of this Stipulation, the following:

    
    

    1. A complete list (with copies, invoices, addresses, etc.) of all known past expenses for which the Claimant seeks reimbursement in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Stipulation document for medical and related expenses previously incurred; and

       
       

    2. A fully executed authorization of release of any and all medical records, insurance program records, and such other authorization as may, from time to time, reasonably be required by the Association to complete its duties hereunder; and

    3. The claimant agrees that a representative of the Association may periodically visit the child with the parent's prior notification. The purpose of such visits would be to assess the

       child's current condition.

       
       

    4. Such other reasonable information as may be required by the Association, which relates to the provision of NOAH COTTON or habilitative care or the payment of NOAH COTTON'S bills.

       
       

17. The Hearing Officer of the Division of Administrative Hearings shall retain jurisdiction to resolve any disputes as to interpretation of any provision of this Stipulation.

The foregoing has been read and is fully understood by the parties hereto who have executed same this 18th day of August, 1999.

LYNN LARSON, Executive Director Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association 1435 Piedmont Drive East, Suite 101

Tallahassee, FL 32312

JILL RENEE COTTON

JOEL COTTON

as Claimants and natural guardians for NOAH COTTON, a minor.

Docket for Case No: 99-003459N

Orders for Case No: 99-003459N