Filed: Apr. 09, 2014
Latest Update: Apr. 09, 2014
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1 CHRISTIAN J. MORAN, Special Master. On April 8, 2014, respondent filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Eileen Goeschel on March 19, 2013. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. 100.3(a), and which she received on November 29, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barr Syndrome ("GBS"). Petitioner further represents that there h
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1 CHRISTIAN J. MORAN, Special Master. On April 8, 2014, respondent filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Eileen Goeschel on March 19, 2013. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. 100.3(a), and which she received on November 29, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barr Syndrome ("GBS"). Petitioner further represents that there ha..
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UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
CHRISTIAN J. MORAN, Special Master.
On April 8, 2014, respondent filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Eileen Goeschel on March 19, 2013. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), and which she received on November 29, 2011, caused her to suffer Guillain-Barré Syndrome ("GBS"). Petitioner further represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS, any other injury, or her current disabilities.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages and attorneys' fees and costs, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages and attorneys' fees and costs awarded in that stipulation include:
a) A lump sum of $150,000.00 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);
b) A lump sum of $106.04 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Eileen Goeschel. This amount represents compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the petition;
c) A Jump sum of $24,921.60 in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner's attorney, Danielle A. Strait, of the law firm Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, for attorneys' fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 13-199V according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Eileen Goeschel, 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"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received her flu immunization on November 29, 2011.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her alleged Guillain-Barre; Syndrome ("GBS").
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS, any other injury, or her 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 payments:
a. A lump sum of $150,000.00 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);
b. A lump sum of $106.04 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the petition; and
c. A Jump sum of $24,921.60 in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and petitioner's attorney, Danielle A. Strait, MAGLIO CHRISTOPHER & TOALE, PA, for attorneys' fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).
9. 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 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
10. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
11. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award of attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed 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).
12. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, petitioner, in her individual capacity and on behalf of 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 petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on November 29, 2011, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 19, 2013, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 13-199V.
13. 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.
14. 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 lo 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.
15. 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. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto lo 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 reflects 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.
16. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS, any other injury, or her current disabilities.
17. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
