STATE OF FLORIDA

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

GINA MINARDI, on behalf of and as parent and natural guardian of DOMINIC MINARDI, a deceased minor,

vs.

Petitioner,

Case No. 17-2086N

FLORIDA BIRTH-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL INJURY COMPENSATION ASSOCIATION,

Respondent.

/

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 June 7, 2017, 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, as parent and natural guardian of Dominic Minardi (Dominic), deceased, and

Respondent, the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), have agreed that Gina Minardi is the parent and legal guardian of Dominic; that Dominic was born a live infant on or about January 9, 2015, at Tampa General Hospital, a “hospital” as defined by section 766.302(6) located in Tampa, Florida; and that Dominic’s birth weight exceeded

2,500 grams. The Parties have further agreed that David Rapkin, M.D., provided obstetrical services at Dominic’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 Dominic suffered a “birth-related neurological injury,” as that term is defined by section 766.302(2), which was the sole and proximate cause of his injury and subsequent death.

It is ORDERED:

1. The Stipulation and Joint Petition filed on June 7, 2017, is hereby approved, and the Parties are directed to comply with the provisions of the Stipulation and Joint Petition.

2. Petitioner, Gina Minardi, as the parent and legal guardian of Dominic, deceased, is awarded one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), pursuant to section 766.31(1)(b)1., to be paid as a lump sum; payment of benefits up to and including the effective date of the Stipulation and Joint Petition pursuant to section 766.31(1)(a), subject to the provisions of paragraph 20 of

   
   

   the Stipulation and Joint Petition; and payment of the $10,000.00 death benefit pursuant to section 766.31(1)(b)1.

3. NICA will reimburse Armando Lauritano, Esquire, attorney for Petitioner, an agreed-upon attorney’s fee of $10,000.00 and expenses of $500.00, totaling $10,500.00 in full for services rendered in the filing of this claim.

4. Upon the payment of the award of $100,000.00, the death benefit of $10,000.00, past benefit/expenses, and $10,500.00 for attorney’s fees and costs, the claims of Petitioner shall be deemed fully satisfied and extinguished.

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 15th day of June, 2017, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

S

W. DAVID WATKINS 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 15th day of June, 2017.

COPIES FURNISHED:

(via certified mail)

Kenney Shipley, Executive Director Florida Birth Related Neurological

Injury Compensation Association 2360 Christopher Place, Suite 1

Tallahassee, Florida 32308 (eServed)

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0507)

Armando Lauritano, Esquire Morgan and Morgan, P.A. One Tampa City Center

201 North Franklin Street, 7th Floor Tampa, Florida 33602

(eServed)

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0514)

Amie Rice, Investigation Manager Consumer Services Unit Department of Health

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

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0521)

Justin Senior, Secretary Health Quality Assurance

Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 1

Tallahassee, Florida 32308 (eServed)

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0538)

Shannon Ingwersen, M.D. University of South Florida MDC 41

12901 Bruce Downs Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33612

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0545)

David Rapkin, M.D. 6th Floor

2 Tampa General Circle Tampa, Florida 33606

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0552)

Megan McDowell, M.D. Suite 308

Tampa General Hospital Attention: Risk Management

1 Tampa General Circle Tampa, Florida 33606

(Certified Mail No. 7016 2710 0000 4543 0583)

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: 17-002086N

Orders for Case No: 17-002086N