DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
LAURA D. MILLMAN, Special Master.
On August 8, 2014, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that she suffered rheumatologic injuries that were caused by her April 9, 2010 receipt of Hepatitis A ("Hep A") vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Respondent denies that the Hep A vaccine caused petitioner's alleged rheumatologic injuries or any other injury and further denies that her current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related 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 forth therein. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awards:
a. a lump sum of $23,773.28, representing reimbursement of a lien for services rendered on behalf of petitioner. The award shall be in the form of a check for $23,773.28 made payable jointly to petitioner and
MO HealthNet Division
Cost Recovery Unit
P.O. Box 6500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Missouri Medicaid Agency; and
b. a lump sum of $15,000.00, representing compensation for all remaining damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award shall be in the form of a check for $15,000.00 made payable to petitioner.
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. 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 Hepatitis A ("Hop A") Vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaceine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R, § 100.3(a),
2. Petitioner received Hep A vaccine on or about April 9, 2010.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered "rheumatologie injuries" as a consequence of the Hop A immunization she received on or about April 9, 2010, and further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months,
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 Hep A vaccine caused petitioner's alleged rheumatologie injuries or any other injury anti further denies that her current disabilities are a sequoia of a vaceine-related injury,
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 $23,773,28, which amount represents reimbursement of a lien for services rendered on behalf of petitioner, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
MO HealthNet Divison
Cost Recovery Unit
P.O. Box 6500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Missouri Medicaid Agency; and
b. A lump sum of $15,000,00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, .which amount represents compensation for all other 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 ease, 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 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 an a prepaid basis.
11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.15(i), subject to the availability &sufficient statutory funds,
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for past Medicaid lien expenses, and attorney's fees and litigation costs, 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 § 300aa-15(g) and (b).
13. In return for the payments described In paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and 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 United States Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Pro pun, 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 Hop A vaccination administered on or about April 9, 2010, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 4, 2013, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No, 13-157V.
14. 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,
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the United States 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.
16. 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 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.
17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Hep A vaccine caused petitioner's rheumatolegie injuries or any other injury or any of her current disabilities,
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns,
END OF STIPULATION.
