DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
LAURA D. MILLMAN, Special Master.
On September 15, 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 chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy ("CIDP") that was caused by her October 28, 2010, receipt of influenza ("flu") vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged CIDP, any other injury, or her current condition. 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 $368,552.68, in the form of a check payable to petitioner;
b. a lump sum of $366,787.59, representing reimbursement of a Network Health lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Network Health
101 Station Landing, 4th Floor
Medford, MA 02155
Attn: Cathy K. Faherty — Claims Recovery
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Network Health;
c. a lump sum of $11,846.61, representing reimbursement of a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS — CRU
COMMONWEALTH OF MA
Casualty Recovery
P.O. Box 417811
Boston, MA 02241-7811
Attn: Robin Richard
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
d. a lump sum of $9,336.30, representing reimbursement of a Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan
Two Copley Place, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02116
Attn: Kelvin Britto
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan; and
e. an amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the attached stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased.
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. Pamela Metcalf, 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 an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received her flu vaccine on October 28, 2010.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States,
4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy ("MP") and that she experienced 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 flu vaccine is the cause of petitioner's CIDP or any other injury or her current condition.
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 $368,552.68, 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), except as set forth in paragraphs 8.b., 8.c., 8d., and 8.e;
b. A lump sum of $366,787.59, which amount represents reimbursement of a Network Health lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Network Hearth
101 Station Landing, 4th Floor
Medford, MA 02155
Attn: Cathy K. Faherty — Claims Recovery
Petitioner agrees to endorse this cheek to Network Health.
c. A lump sum of $11,846.61, which amount represents reimbursement of a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS — CRU
COMMONWEALTH OF MA
Casualty Recovery
P.O. Box 417811
Boston, MA 02241-7811
Attn: Robin Richard
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
d. A lump sum of $9,336.30, which amount represents reimbursement of a Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan
Two Copley Place, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02116
Attn: Kelvin Britto
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan,
e. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 below, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased (the "Life Insurance Company"),
9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:
a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;
b. Moody's investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;
c, Standard and Poor's Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA;
d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.
10. The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity contract from the Life Insurance Company for the benefit of petitioner, Pamela Metcalf, pursuant to which the Life Insurance Company will agree to make payments periodically to Pamela Metcalf for all remaining damages that would be available under 42 §300aa-15(a), as follows:
Beginning on the first anniversary of the date of judgment, $735.00 per month for life only.
The payments provided for in this paragraph 10 shall he made as set forth above, Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance Company only so long as she, Pamela Metcalf, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due. Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life Insurance Company within twenty (20) days of Pamela Metcalf's death.
11. The annuity contract will be owned solely and exclusively by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and wilt be purchased as soon as practicable following the entry of a judgment in conformity with this Stipulation. The parties stipulate and agree that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are not responsible for the payment of any sums other than the amounts set forth in paragraph 8 herein and the amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 12 herein, and that they do not guarantee or insure any of the future annuity payments. Upon the purchase of the annuity contract, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are released from any and all obligations with respect to future annuity payments.
12. 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.
13. 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 on a pre-paid basis,
14. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 12 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
15. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation either immediately or as part of the annuity contract, will be used solely for petitioner's benefit 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).
16. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 12, 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. § 300 as-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 October 28, 2010, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 28, 2013, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 13-65V.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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 12 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,
20. Petitioner hereby authorizes respondent to disclose documents filed by petitioner in this case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.
21. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's CIDP or any other injury or her current condition.
22. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
